Town And County Unveil "Blueprint" For Elmont's Future

Town And County Unveil "Blueprint" For Elmont's Future

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, working along with Nassau County Executive
Tom Suozzi, unveiled today a blueprint for Elmont – the "gateway" to the Town of
Hempstead. Also present at the press conference were Town Councilmen Edward
Ambrosino and James Darcy, County Legislator John Ciotti and several civic, business
and community leaders.

The vision for the community's future focuses on revitalizing downtown Elmont,
stimulating the local economy, beautifying commercial areas and community gathering
points and attracting new businesses to underutilized sites. The plan also addresses
issues such as transportation, public/community facilities, zoning priorities among
other development imperatives.

The vision plan is the result of a collaborative effort that included hours of
visioning meetings with government officials, local community leaders, religious
officials, local businesses and, perhaps most importantly, the citizens of Elmont.
Together, Elmont's stakeholders have created what they believe to be the most
vibrant vision for Elmont's future.

"I am excited that Elmont is back, it has a bright future and together we're going
to build a more vibrant and beautiful gateway to Hempstead Town," said Murray.
"Various levels of government are working together along with members of the Elmont
community to 'polish the gateway' to Hempstead Town."

"This blueprint for revitalizing Elmont is the result of many moving parts within
Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead collaborating," said Suozzi. "I thank
Supervisor Murray for the Town of Hempstead's partnership on this very important
initiative to improve Elmont's infrastructure and create more economic opportunity
for the residents of Elmont and Nassau County on the whole."

"I feel so fortunate to be included in the visioning and revitalization process in
Elmont. This is a beautiful and diverse community brimming with talent and
potential.  This blueprint is the first step towards making this community’s goals a
reality," said Ciotti.

Some of the economic stimulus proposals released in the vision plan include the
establishment of a business improvement district through which business and property
owners could work cooperatively to redevelop vacant and underutilized properties and
the creation of "workforce housing opportunities."

"We have an historic opportunity to capture the imagination, energy and vision of
Elmont neighbors and reinvigorate this beautiful hometown and important business
district," commented Ambrosino.

The improvement of Elmont does not end with economic stimulation; an improvement in
walk ability, bicycle accessibility and area roadways are all part of a more
efficient and better Elmont. From promotion of pedestrian-oriented activities and
businesses to providing ample and appropriate parking, the vision plan supported by
the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County will help those in the community navigate
their town.

"By addressing walk ability and accessibility in downtown Elmont, we can create a
destination for residents and visitors to enjoy a meal, take a shopping excursion
and enjoy a 'hometown vacation' at Belmont Park," observed Darcy.

The visioning plan is Hempstead's and Nassau's most recent effort aimed at building
a better Elmont. The town has already accomplished a number of priorities and is
pursuing other initiatives. Hempstead has begun streetscape improvements, replete
with brick-paved walkways, Victorian streetlights and attractive plantings at Elmont
Road, School Street and Hempstead Turnpike. The town's Department of Planning and
Economic Development is in the midst of working with business owners to remake
storefront facades at local businesses.

The town is also leading the way with concrete improvements to downtown Elmont
centering around the proposed conversion of the former Argo Movie Theatre into a
state-of-the-art, new supermarket. "I am thrilled," remarked Supervisor Murray,
"that the Town Board passed an Urban Renewal Plan that will help revitalize the
local business district and help restore a hub of Elmont's business district."

Along with International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, the owners of Big Brown, the
Hempstead IDA is also helping to reenergize Elmont's business community. A proposal
before the Industrial Development Agency would infuse up to 15 million dollars into
the Elmont economy and create a two-story, 23,000 square foot equine hospital.

Additionally, Hempstead Town has "leveled" the playing field for Little Leaguers -
literally - at a local park in Elmont. Responding to concerns voiced by outfielders
at Averill Boulevard Park that they could no longer see home plate because sections
of the field had sunken so dramatically, Supervisor Murray and the Town Board
embarked on a refurbishment project that excavated and re-graded the entire field.
The project also installed a new drainage system.

"I am enthusiastic to be working with great government and community partners to
create a blueprint for a better Elmont," concluded Murray. "I am proud to be part of
what promises to be a great success story."