Northport a step closer to information kiosk

The Village of Northport is a step closer to receiving county funding for an information kiosk that it wants to construct downtown, officials said.

The Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Citizen's Advisory Board has approved the village's $15,500 application for grant funding, and now that project, along with several others, will go the county legislature for approval beginning in October, according to a statement from county Legis. William Spencer's office.

The plan is to construct an 8-foot by 7-foot kiosk building and two kiosk boards in Northport Park, near the entrance by the parking lot. They will provide information about the businesses and services available in the village, officials said.

"It is also a friendly, personal way of welcoming people, and that is the real spirit of Northport," Deputy Mayor Henry Tobin said.

Tobin said the Northport Chamber of Commerce has discussed putting up an information booth or kiosk for about 12 years.

Spencer (D-Centerport) said in the statement that the goal of the county's downtown revitalization program is to "create positive economic impacts on our communities through sales tax increases and job creation."

"Making Northport Village an even more attractive and vibrant place to visit, shop and enjoy family and friends is a smart way to not only improve our quality of life, but also to improve the economy of the county as a whole," Spencer said.

The county funds are awarded on a competitive grant basis using a merit-based scoring system. Applicants receive points for leveraging of additional funds, economic impact, reasonable expectation of completion, overall downtown improvement and proximity to downtown.