Schumer wants federal agencies to help LI downtowns

Three federal agencies were urged Monday by Sen. Charles E. Schumer to come to Long Island to meet with local officials and planning advocates he said are struggling with red tape and a lack of coordination for downtown revitalization funds.

The Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development recently formed a Partnership for Sustainable Communities to better coordinate their approach to localities, and in a letter to the agencies' heads, Schumer asked that they turn their attention to Long Island.

"Municipalities in Long Island have struggled to work through many of the land use planning and financial intricacies at the agency level," he wrote. "I highly encourage that your agencies conduct a public meeting and work session with residents of Long Island to work through these problems."

Plans to revitalize Long Island's downtowns are gaining traction as Newsday recently reported, although slowed by recession and the need for more public money for infrastructure and affordable housing.

In Wyandanch, for example, an ambitious revitalization plan hinges on obtaining sewers funds. Suffolk County and town of Babylon officials want to start construction this summer.

"We're thrilled (Schumer) is taking a leadership role on this," said Sarah Lansdale, executive director of Sustainable Long Island and one of a number of local groups working with Schumer to reach out to the federal agencies.

She said state agencies have streamlined their redevelopment efforts, and she hopes the federal agencies will do the same.

What's needed is "an area-wide coordinated approach to planning and funding," she said.

Mike Morey, a spokesman for Schumer, said the goal was to get the agencies to explain how to get federal money, streamline the process "and give a point of contact to get through it."

In his letter addressed to DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Schumer wrote of his high hopes for their new Partnership for Sustainable Communities "to transform our suburbs by bringing back economic competitiveness, increased access to employment opportunities, and the greater availability of transit options."

Monday, County Executive Mangano applauded Schumer's efforts and said, "Downtowns are the heart and soul of our local economy."