Village to seek state beautification grant

The Village of Patchogue is again turning to the state for help in beautifying the local business district.

The board of trustees passed a resolution Monday night to apply for a $250,000 matching New York Main Street grant from the state Office of Homes and Community Renewal.

This would be the third grant -- totaling nearly $1 million -- the village has sought to revitalize several village business areas since 2008.

"The grant will focus on the downtown business area of the village," said trustee Thomas Ferb.

The state community renewal office includes programs geared toward main streets, community and economic development, job creation and downtown revitalization.

Dennis Smith, executive director of the Patchogue Business Improvement District, said grant recipients should be announced in September.

The money would help revitalize businesses near the Four Corners area on the south side of East Main Street to Route 112, he said.

In 2008, the business improvement district was granted a $200,000 New York Main Street grant, leading to seven improvement projects, including those to South Ocean Avenue, the Four Corners and East Main Street, officials said.

Two years later, the district received a $500,000 grant for improvements to buildings on the west side of South Ocean Avenue, from Church to Main streets and along the south side of West Main Street to River Avenue, officials said.

The grants have helped the physical appearance of village street fronts, Ferb said.