Recent Event Highlights: Food Equity Fundraiser, New York Healthy Food & Healthy Communities Fund meeting , North Main Street Corridor Master Plan for Freeport, Farmingville Community Plan accepted, Partnership for Sustainable Communities meeting, Long Island's 4th Annual Sustainability Conference, and 40 more...
Created by sustainableli on Apr 19, 2011
Last updated: 09/07/11 at 04:42 PM
Sustainable Long Island held a food-equity fundraiser in celebration of efforts to increase access to fresh, local, affordable food in low-income communities.
Known for its food equity work, Sustainable Long Island paid tribute to food-related organizations, including Slow Food Huntington and the Long Island Farm Bureau.
http://sustainableli.org/event/food-equity-fundraiser/
Empire State Development and Sustainable Long Island held an informational meeting regarding the New York Healthy Food & Healthy Communities Fund.
The coalition, joined by representatives from the Town of Brookhaven, NYS Department of Labor, LIPA, and more discussed the funding opportunity, which will increase access to healthy foods, create local jobs, and support the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.
http://sustainableli.org/event/new-york-healthy-food-and-healthy-communities-fund-meeting/
Submitted the North Main Street Corridor Master Plan for Freeport, which serves as a catalyst for Freeport’s Brownfield Opportunity Area Program application process.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/freeport/
Tthe Farmingville community plan was accepted by the Town of Brookhaven. The core of the Community Plan is the creation of a revitalized hamlet center along Horseblock Road with landscaping, street furniture such as benches, lighting and trash cans, and a variety of locally-owned businesses.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/farmingville/
Sustainable Long Island joined U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and other local sustainability advocates for a meeting with high-level officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), all members of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, to discuss and better understand the needs, obstacles and red tape experienced by localities as they seek to revitalize downtown cores and promote sustainable development.
http://sustainableli.org/event/senator-schumer-meets-with-the-partnership-for-sustainable-communities/
Launched two youth-run farmers’ markets in North Bellport and Roosevelt – providing fresh, affordable fruit and vegetables to residents, and jobs to local youth in two historically underserved communities; announced at a press conference featuring Senator Gillibrand. This was the kick-off and first immediate solution in our food equity program.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/food-equity/youth-run-farmers-markets/
Commenced our 2nd Annual High School Fellowship, where High School students across Long Island have been hired to work closely with staff on community planning and revitalization projects.
Sustainable Long Island's Fellowship Class of 2010-2011 included Sarah DeGray; Ibeth Escobar; Matthew Lippertshauser; Sean Mohan; Monica Velasquez; and Brian Yakkey.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/high-school-fellowship/
Hosted our 4th Annual Sustainability Conference, focusing on the green economy on Long Island; featuring Keynote Speaker Senator Charles Schumer.
The event provided an opportunity for attendees to learn how the region can use the green economy to provide opportunity and access for all Long Islanders to create a healthier environment and a stable economy.
http://sustainableli.org/event/sustainable-long-islands-4th-annual-sustainability-conference/
Sustainable Long Island established a Food Equity Advisory Committee, which comprises multiple organizations including emergency food organizations, community garden representatives, developers, town officials, departments of transportation, retailers, food distributors, institutional food service operators, farmers, and policymakers.
The Committee has worked to identify initial issues in food access on Long Island and think through project strategies.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/food-equity/advisory-committee/
Organized a community planning process in North Amityville, engaging community members in the decisions made about the future of their downtown and the need for comprehensive redevelopment at the intersection of Albany Avenue and Great Neck Road.
A plan was created and adopted by the Town Board.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/north-amityville/
Sustainable Long Island facilitated a Community Planning Process in 2009 that included preparatory meetings, a best practices tour, focus group sessions, and the community planning weekend, led by nationally known land use planning expert Dan Burden.
Among the goals of the Farmingville Community Planning Process were to bring together a divided community and to build a consensus of diverse ideas through the creation and implementation of a sustainable community plan. The project gave hope to residents that it would help unify the community and create a new, more positive image for Farmingville. This project presented an opportunity to bring people together, focusing on positive change and proactive, positive participation in the planning process.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/farmingville/
Held our second annual Fall Breakfast Series continuing dialogue addressing critical issues facing Long Island, such as brownfields, food equity, and transit oriented development (all separate events).
http://sustainableli.org/event/2009-fall-breakfast-series/
Continued the Community Roundtables program with a Community Leadership Retreat that brought together community partners to review best practices, discussing strategic plans, and work on engaging community residents
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-roundtables/
Launched the first annual High School Fellowship program where Long Island students have the opportunity to learn and participate in community-based planning and engage other youth from across the region.
Sustainable Long Island's Fellowship Class of 2009-2010 included Rachel Kaufman, Adam Roberts, and Colby Sim.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/high-school-fellowship/
Conducted a study of Huntington Station for the Huntington Station Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Pre-Nomination Study and also facilitated two community meetings to ensure that the community residents would be involved in the decision making process in relation to the revitalization of the brownfields in the study area
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/brownfields/brownfields-redevelopment/
Sustainable Long Island’s 3rd Annual Sustainability Conference attracted a large cross-section of those with a vested interest in the future of Long Island’s growth. Community members and activists, government officials, architects, builders, and other stakeholders were among the projected 400 plus attendees gathered for the daylong event, which also honored Amy Hagedorn and awarded three of Long Island’s leaders in sustainability.
Interactive workshops, a plenary featuring L.I.’s college and university presidents, and a ground-breaking bus tour through Hicksville tackled topics ranging from the relationship between thriving main streets, a strong regional economy, and convenient and efficient transit systems, as well as demonstrates the importance and potential of sustainable community planning practices.
http://sustainableli.org/event/sustainable-long-island-hosts-3rd-annual-sustainability-conference/
The Town of Brookhaven officially accepted the Greater Bellport Sustainable Community Plan as a community vision plan, recognizing the importance of the community’s vision and hard work and paving the way for continued implementation. Greater Bellport Calition continues to be active in the community, meeting regularly and fulfilling its mission to improve and revitalize the Greater Bellport area.
http://sustainableli.org/uploaded_files/pages/attach/f_b6c0e9d7272bcfdb58842ab9f895cc1dBELLPORT%20FINAL%20PLAN.pdf
The Elmont Vision Plan was embraced by both the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County. Shortly after, the Town of Hempstead secured a $2.5 Million grant for improvements around the Argo Theater site.
http://sustainableli.org/uploaded_files/pages/attach/f_7c6f141c0ed133dd6ee0e43031c02f3aElmont%20Plan.pdf
Sustainable Long Island’s breakfast on brownfields was our first annual breakfast series and attracted a large cross-section of those with a vested interest in the future of Long Island’s growth. Lawyers, engineers, architects, developers, activists, government officials and other stakeholders were among the attendees gathered for the event.
http://sustainableli.org/event/all-you-need-to-know-about-brownfields-and-how-to-make-the-programs-work-for-you/
Sustainable Long Island facilitated protecting the community from county auction, twice. Sustainable Long Island worked with members of the Greater Bellport Coalition, and officials from the Town of Brookhaven and Suffolk County to have County Executive Levy remove key parcels the community identified in their planning process, from county auction. Removing the parcels off of the auction list was important because it allowed for the development and acceptance of the ideas expressed in the Greater Bellport plan – specifically park expansion and multifamily housing.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/greater-bellport/
Having completed the Sustainable Community Plan for Middle Country in 2007, In partnerships with the Middle Country Coalition for Smart Growth, Sustainable Long Island facilitated the adoption of the Plan by the Town and County with overwhelming political support.
http://sustainableli.org/uploaded_files/pages/attach/f_13235dbcd4503062c0ca1845e740ee9eMiddle%20Country%20Plan.pdf
Sustainable Long Island’s 2nd Annual Sustainability Conference highlighted the need for community inclusiveness in planning for region’s immediate future. Community members and activists, government officials, architects, builders, and other stakeholders were among the 400 plus attendees gathered for the daylong event, which also celebrated the tenth anniversary of Sustainable Long Island’s founding.
http://sustainableli.org/event/sustainable-long-island-hosts-2nd-annual-sustainability-conference/
In 2008 Sustainable Long Island led a Visioning Day, as well as a number of education workshops for the community of Copiague, which produced a community plan focused on transit oriented development.
The Visioning Day in 2008 covered topics such as land use and suburban design, safety, transportation, and the local economy. Over 300 community members participated to learn about the possibilities for redevelopment, potential for Copiague, and to express their goals and desires for the community.
The plan for the community has now been completed by RBA Group, who partnered with Sustainable Long Island to work with the Downtown Copiague Implementation Committee.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/copiague/
Continued the Community Roundtables programs with series, such as “Designing Safer Communities,” “Fundraising Strategies,” and “Planning Public Spaces and Tools for Implementing Plans”
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-roundtables/
Brought together over 300 members of the Greater Bellport community to become planners for a visioning weekend and decide the future of their community, ending a year of community outreach and coalition building.
Having identified issues central to the area, the diverse community came together to devise solutions to numerous problems, including the creation of a hamlet center, improving code compliance, and developing a range of housing options. Our goal was to build consensus in a community of diverse ideas through the creation and implementation of a sustainable community plan that serves as a roadmap for the future development of Greater Bellport. Sustainable Long Island worked with the Coalition to lay the groundwork to ensure that it would follow through on the community’s vision.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/greater-bellport/
Met with the US Post Master General, Senator Schumer, Babylon Town Supervisor Bellone, and Wyandanch community leaders to discuss the importance of a new post office in Wyandanch being representative of the community’s plans for the future. Wyandanch residents were heard and a post office was built closer to Straight Path in line with traditional downtown design and without the previously planned bulletproof glass and barbed wire fences.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/wyandanch/
Hosted Sunday on the Sound at the Sands Point Preserve to enjoy the company of Sustainable Long Island’s supporters, as well as to honor founding members of Sustainable Long Island Marty and Jane Schwartz.
http://sustainableli.org/
Sustainable Long Island was proud to host the region’s first-ever conference on sustainable development: “Rethink, Rebuild, Renew: Creating a Sustainable Future for Long Island.” At the conference, more than 350 business owners, municipal leaders, builders, architects and others interested in creating a livable and vibrant future for Long Island came together to find practical information and the resources they need to implement sustainable development principals and practices.
http://sustainableli.org/event/sustainable-long-island-hosts-1st-sustainability-conference/
The first community roundtable of 2007, featured representatives from Long Island’s educational institutions. Individuals from Adelphi University, Hofstra University and SUNY Old Westbury discussed accessing information and benefitting from university resources that are available to assist Long Island’s community groups’ in enhancing their capacity.
The second community roundtable of 2007, featured Rob Alvey, founder and President of The Garden City Bird Sanctuary, Inc, who led community members from Roosevelt, Elmont and Middle Country through Nassau County sump-turned community nature preserve. Alvey discussed his experience and lessons learned in establishing a successful community-based project.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-roundtables/
Facilitated a Sustainable Community Planning Process for Middle Country in partnership with the Middle Country Coalition and the Town of Brookhaven; it was one of the most successful community vision sessions in Long Island history. The people of Middle Country put aside their differences and worked together; identifying numerous goals the community focused on for improvement.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/middle-country/
Along with The Greater Bellport Coalition, coordinated and directed a process to facilitate the revitalization of the Greater Bellport community by developing a safe, fun, and environmentally healthy place to live, work, and play for all of its residents.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/greater-bellport/
Held the first of a series of community roundtables that brought together over 50 community leaders to network and share resources and best practices of their individual community revitalization efforts.
The event brought together over 50 community leaders from North Bellport, Centereach, Elmont, New Cassel, Oyster Bay, Patchogue, Port Washington, Riverhead, Roosevelt, Selden and Wyandanch to network and share resources and best practices of their individual community revitalization efforts.
The second community roundtable, held in December, included experts from Adelphi, Hofstra and SUNY Old Westbury, who discussed university resources that will enhance community groups’ capacity to provide services.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-roundtables/
Brought together hundreds of brownfield experts from across Long Island and New York State at SUNY College at Old Westbury to address the opportunities and challenges related to the New York State Brownfields Law.
http://sustainableli.org/
After years of suburban development, the Elmont community expressed a strong desire to improve, and enhance the suburban condition and quality of life. For the first time ever, Nassau County, the Town of Hempstead and the Elmont community came together with the help of Sustainable Long Island and Saccardi & Schiff to carry out a community planning process designed to build consensus through the creation and implementation of a common plan that serves as a roadmap for future development along Hempstead Turnpike.
Over 600 stakeholders participated in Best Practice Tours, Education Workshops, Surveys, Bus Tours and design days to make sure that their voices were heard in the creation of a vision for the future of Elmont.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/elmont/
Developed and launched the Brownfield Busters Patch Program in Nassau and Suffolk Counties; an educational program developed to teach Long Island Girl Scouts about brownfields and environmental leadership and presented the program at the EPA National Brownfield Conference receiving a regional EPA award for the program.
http://sustainableli.org/
Development of our 7th Visioning Process took place in Port Washington where we convened a diverse group of leaders and community members in 6 incorporated villages and towns. A Vision Plan, including goals for the future of the Peninsula, was adopted by the Town
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/port-washington/
Part of the coalition of Long Island civic groups that helped pass four open space preservation measures on Election Day.
http://sustainableli.org/
The community of Wyandanch’s Vision Plan was adopted by the Town of Babylon. Goals set forth by the vision plan included a family-style restaurant, bicycle lanes, on-street parking, wider and better-lit sidewalks, safer crosswalks, mixed-use buildings, and community clean-up initiatives.
http://sustainableli.org/uploaded_files/pages/attach/f_f54b6447b8f081386817c8a48d298a46Wyandanch%20Vision%20Plan.pdf
Helped craft the language and supported the passage of statewide brownfields cleanup legislation. Sustainable Long Island would also create "Brownfields to Greenfields," a how-to redevelopment manual distributed regionally, with a second edition released in 2011.
http://sustainableli.org/uploaded_files/pages/attach/f_189c150b16b3b20caebbe74181170519Brownfields%20to%20Greenfields%20Manual%202011-final.pdf
Having being drafted during a community visioning process facilitated in 2002 in which 800 residents participated, New Cassel’s first master plan was officially adopted by the Town of North Hempstead
http://sustainableli.org/uploaded_files/pages/attach/f_8b0678a03f7c87258ebd8891baa00726NewCasselMonograph_WEB.pdf
Organized over 100 volunteers from the Roosevelt community to construct a new playground at the Washington Rose Elementary School, one of the projects identified in the community vision plan. The playground, which took three days to build, was designed by youth from the Roosevelt community.
Sustainable Long Island facilitated a community-based planning event called "Wyandanch Rising," for the hamlet of Wyandanch in central Suffolk County, in partnership with the Town of Babylon and Wyandanch Weed & Seed. Wyandanch Rising brought together over 500 homeowners, renters, business and property owners, civic groups, clergy, planners, architects, and government officials. Over the course of the process, the participants crafted the first comprehensive plan for the community in over a generation. Sustainable Long Island remains engaged in the implementation phase of Wyandanch's downtown revitalization campaign.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/wyandanch/
Sustainable Long Island co-sponsored a community-wide public education workshop, “Seeking a Shared Vision for New Cassel”. Over 250 residents, property owners, businesses, and community activists met to learn more about new processes for community revitalization. In addition, Sustainable Long Island brought Dan Burden into this community to make traffic calming and walkability recommendations, some of which were immediately transformed into architectural drawings and presented at the event.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/new-cassel/
Sustainable Long Island facilitated a community visioning process called “Seeking a Shared Vision for Roosevelt” that sought to revitalize the Nassau Road corridor in Roosevelt’s downtown. The visioning process convened 500 stakeholders. Following the visioning process, Sustainable Long Island wrote a community revitalization and economic development plan for Roosevelt and identified 15 brownfields along the main commercial corridor.
http://sustainableli.org/what-we-do/community-revitalization/roosevelt/
Sustainable Long Island joined with the Hofstra University Housing Rights Center to support tenants of a deteriorated housing project in downtown Hempstead who were facing eviction. We successfully supported the delay until alternative housing was available.
http://sustainableli.org/
Seventy opinion-makers attended a Roundtable “New York State Brownfields Legislation: Where is it headed in the 2001 Legislative Session?” co-sponsored by Sustainable Long Island and the Long Island Association.
http://sustainableli.org/
Sustainable Long Island co-sponsored a walking tour and informational evening in Brookhaven during which time Dan Burden presented the results of a photographic walk through the community. The result of this presentation and walk-through was a commitment from the Town to look at Rte. 25 and Rte. 112 as opportunities for mixed-use development and pedestrian safety street design.
Also, Sustainable Long Island staff, along with Dan Burden, researched downtown Bethpage to identify needs and opportunities for community revitalization.
Continued building a visually appealing interactive timeline using video, audio, images, location, social media, and timestamps on the website âDipity.â Nonprofits can use âDipityâ to create timelines that highlight their organizational history, current events, and special campaigns.
Sustainable Long Island participated in the scoping (strategy and task defining) meeting for the Town of North Hempstead’s Brownfields Pilot project in New Cassel. Sustainable Long Island successfully advocated for greater public participation in the site selection process and assisted environmental engineers with the collection of preliminary community and site information.
http://sustainableli.org/
Sustainable Long Island hosted a one-day conference "Revitalizing Long Island's Communities: The Role of Brownfields Redevelopment." Over 120 people attended, including government and elected officials, bankers, developers, community activists, and environmental professionals who discussed all stages of Brownfields redevelopment: community organizing, planning, funding, licensing and other regulatory requirements.
http://sustainableli.org/
Sustainable Long Island provided design assistance towards a conceptual plan for mixed-use development on a blighted 19-acre parcel in the Longwood hamlet in Middle Island.
http://sustainableli.org/
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