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PLANNING COUNCIL
Island, while also complementing the States Start-Up NY program. The entire
State would reap a huge return on investment from these funds.
II.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
On Long Island, a safe supply of clean drinking water and healthy creeks, bays and
harbors support a multi-billion dollar economy fueled by tourism, boating, fishing, plentiful
seafood and a desirable way of life for 2.8 million Nassau and Suffolk residents. Long Islands
waters create jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars every year for our regional
economy. Our coastal systems are vital assets that provide the first line of defense for our
communities from the extreme weather events that threaten our shores and the recreational
tourism opportunities that fuel our local businesses.
But Long Islands health, economy and quality of life are all at risk. Aging sewer and
septic systems leak nitrogen into our underground supply of fresh drinking water, which flows
into our creeks, bays and harbors. Nitrogen pollution, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care
products, and other toxic chemicals in Long Islands water can pose serious risks to human
health. Toxic algae (fed by nitrogen pollution) in our waters can kill fish and our pets, and is
deadly to humans. Accordingly, we request funds for:
Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall Pipe - Superstorm Sandy destroyed
the Bay Park Sewage Treatment plant. While federal storm recovery monies
have been identified to rebuild this plant, these funds cannot be used for the ocean
outfall pipe that is needed to protect the health and quality of the bay. It is
estimated the outfall pipe may cost more than $600 million. A state financial
commitment toward the project could leverage additional federal and local dollars
to complete this critically important project similar to what the state recently
proposed with the nitrogen severely limiting facility at Bay Park; and
Sewers in Suffolks Downtowns - Suffolk County remains nearly two thirds
unsewered which is a major infrastructure deficiency prohibiting economic
development. While the region appreciates the recent announcements you made
regarding federal dollars for sewers along Suffolks South Shore communities
to protect the quality of ground and surface waters, sewer investments in other
parts of Suffolk County are required to protect our environment and create
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Nassau County
Cerro Wire - The property formerly owned by Cerro Wire Corporation consists
of approximately 54 acres of buildable land in Syosset. The Long Island Regional
Economic Development Council has stated the proposed development of the site
is one of the most significant on Long Island and, if developed, has the potential
to be transformative for the region, while creating numerous construction and
permanent jobs. The new owners intend to submit to the Town of Oyster Bay a
separate and distinct plan to develop the site as a mixed use, smart growth Town
Center. The construction of the Town Center will require a significant investment
of hundreds of millions of dollars. The developer has already invested in excess of
$90 million dollars to purchase the site. However, a sizeable state investment for
this project is necessary to pay for the elimination of the grade crossing at
Robbins Lane and other major road improvements, all of which would nicely
complement the privately funded one half billion dollar Town Center as a transitoriented development project.
Nassau Expressway, Route 878 This project would include the removal of
substandard pavement and curbing, replacement and installation of new drainage
infrastructure, grading improvements, and installation of new pavement and curbs
to address longstanding flooding, safety, and road surface issues along the entire
two mile highway length between Burnside Avenue and the Rockaway Beach
bridge. In addition, it would create hundreds of jobs, strengthen the local
economy and harden an existing flood evacuation route.
Suffolk County
Sagtikos Parkway Widening Project - This project would widen the Sagtikos
Parkway and is critical to facilitate an exciting redevelopment of the former
Pilgrim State Hospital property known as the Heartland Town Center. A major
investment would initially leverage hundreds of millions of dollars in private
investment proposed for the site and eventually billions of dollars of private
investment once completed.
Connect Long Island - Bus Rapid Transit on Route 110 - This project will
create a new enhanced public transit system along Rt. 110 serving major office
buildings, Amityville and Republic railroad stations, SUNY Farmingdale and the
Walt Whitman Mall while complementing the opening of the Republic LIRR
station which is funded in the 2015-2019 MTA capital plan. Route 110 has
become Long Islands Main Street and a state investment would leverage
hundreds of millions of dollars in further private investments along this corridor.
Connect Long Island - Bus Rapid Transit on Nicolls Road - This project would
create a new BRT system along 15 miles of Nicolls Road serving Stony Brook
4
Walt Whitman Road Bridge This bridge over the Long Island Expressway,
along with the Route 110 overpass, are the two primary access roads to the
Melville Employment Center, which is the most important commercial hub on
Long Island in terms of employment and tax revenue. Immediate traffic and
congestion problems with the bridge could be redesigned and mitigated to allow
for future business growth, including the possible expansion of the North
American headquarters of Canon, U.S.A.
Calverton - Development has been stalled at EPCAL property for decades due to
environmental issues including traffic and access concerns. Traffic Improvements
to support redevelopment of this major Town of Riverhead property for the
Proposed Redevelopment of EPCAL Property at Calverton and should be
implemented.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin S. Law
President & CEO
Long Island Association (LIA)
Desmond M. Ryan
Executive Director
Association for a Better Long Island
(ABLI)
Mitch Pally
CEO
Long Island Buildings Institute (LIBI)
Nancy Kelley
Executive Director
The Nature Conservancy
Robert DeLuca
President
Group for the East End
Marc Herbst
Executive Director
Long Island Contractors Association
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