Downtown Revitalization Initiative Application Template Applications for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative will be received by the Regional Councils. Applicant responses for each section should be as complete and succinct as possible. Applications must be received by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council by 4:00 PM on June 14, 2017. Submit your application as a Word Document to [email protected]. BASIC INFORMATION Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Region: Long Island Regional Economic Development Council Municipality Name: Town of Islip Downtown Name: Central Islip County: Suffolk Vision for Downtown. Provide a brief statement of the municipality’s vision for downtown revitalization. Downtown Central Islip starts at the intersection of Suffolk Avenue and Carleton Avenue, and runs south along Carleton Avenue for approximately a three quarters of a mile south to Smith Street, just north of the Central Islip Planned Development District (PDD). The downtown area is a mixed-use street containing commercial, residential, and community facility uses. Central Islip has a compact traditional downtown whose character began as an outgrowth of its proximity to the original Central Islip train station. Major redevelopment of the former Psychiatric Center has occurred in recent years that has brought investment, new businesses, and around 1,000 residences just outside the downtown. Central Islip has since become home to a much more diverse economic and residential community. Today the area of Central Islip immediately adjacent to the targeted downtown is home to a public golf course, federal, state, and county court complexes, New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Touro Law School, multi- family developments such as townhouses and apartment complexes, affordable housing, shopping centers, restaurants, Residence Inn Marriott hotel, a minor league ball field, and public recreational ball fields for youth, all of which are located within the downtown catchment area. As a result of this diverse economy and increasing residential population, the Central Islip downtown is on the verge of becoming a vibrant downtown epicenter for the adjacent Central Islip population as well as the entire Islip Town community. There are just a few major projects that are necessary in order to tap into this downtown’s full potential. The vision for this downtown is to attract a diverse group of people of all ages, ethnicities, and incomes. We see young professionals from the courthouse meeting for drinks after a long day at work; students from Touro Law escaping their studies for a few hours at local coffee shops; seniors from the Bishop McGann Village walking down the block to get everyday essentials like groceries; families headed toward Long Island Ducks Stadium’s evening game stopping for a bite to eat at restaurants; parents and children walking to soccer practice; churches and community 2017 DRI Application 3 | P a g e centers hosting public events. This downtown’s vision is for a wide range of activities for people at all different stages in life. A major challenge is the appearance of its main street that is inconsistent with the Town’s visual quality goals. Despite tax incentives many commercial buildings are poorly maintained and some are physically dilapidated. While other aspects of the community have been substantially rejuvenated, the older business district remains under developed. The vision for this downtown is one of vibrant mixed use buildings with a cohesive design that is consistent with the existing Central Islip Master Plan for downtown and the existing Saratoga Study (Downtown Central Islip Study) conducted for this corridor. Also walkable streets lined with low maintenance landscaping and bike paths connecting a diverse area of attractions outside but immediate to the downtown area, expanding even further the access to this downtown. The vision includes street lighting to enhance security and allow for use of the downtown beyond daytime hours. The sanitary sewer connection would permit mixed use (retail/residential) not achievable today. In addition, with building façade improvements and landscaping improvements, this downtown can become a more inviting and enjoyable area. Priorities should also include redevelopment of vacant and/or blighted buildings and lots. The vision for this downtown includes increased growth, expanding the business, recreation, and housing facilities that already exist. A major challenge that has restricted growth in the area is the lack of a sewer system. With the addition of a sewer system, the infrastructure of this downtown will be sufficient to support the amount of growth necessary to satisfy the developmental interest shown in this area. The Central Islip downtown has immense potential. It is on the verge of becoming a vibrant downtown center that is an attraction for the entire Islip Town community. Recent developmental interest has transformed areas adjacent to the downtown from an economically stressed area into a robust economic and residential hub of the Central Islip community. With the DRI grant, this downtown will be able to reach its full potential as a diverse, inviting, and thriving downtown community. Justification. Provide an overview of the downtown, highlighting the area’s defining characteristics and the reasons for its selection. Explain why the downtown is ready for Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) investment, and how that investment would serve as a catalyst to bring about revitalization. Since the Town of Islip original Master Plan in the 1980’s the Town has successfully managed the development of the Central Islip Planned Development District (PDD) to redevelop the 800 acre State Hospital property, bringing jobs and investment to the area just south of the targeted downtown. Long Island Ducks Stadium, Touro Law School, Federal, State and County Court complexes, a public golf course, Central Islip’s Town Center development, units of existing and proposed multi-family housing, and several major industrial employers are all located in the PDD, on the former State Hospital property, a convenient walking and cycling distance from the downtown. 2017 DRI Application 4 | P a g e Central Islip could serve as a model for the revitalization of cities throughout New York State. DRI investment could build on the Town’s successes, and would target the following proposed transformative projects: Connect to Sewer System. A sewer connection is crucial to density and uses that create a vibrant downtown, such as restaurants and mixed use buildings. The current lack of sewer resources has a direct negative effect on community development and growth. Rezoning. To encourage downtown redevelopment and growth, the Town is prepared to develop a land use/zoning plan to further the vision of a thriving downtown. Uses that are not compatible with a downtown, such as vehicle repair uses, would not be permitted. Redevelop the former Central Islip train station property. The Town is considering development plans for the former Long Island Railroad (LIRR) Central Islip train station and surrounding property located at the northern gateway into Central Islip’s downtown. Central Islip LIRR Train Station Parking lot expansion. The Town of Islip has a design to increase parking capacity by 100 new parking spaces at the Central Islip LIRR train station. Complete Streets. The Town’s Complete Streets throughout and feeding the downtown has the multiple effect of enhancing affordable transportation, driving commerce in downtown, calming traffic and enhancing the general health and happiness of the members of the Central Islip community. Traffic Roundabout and other safety mitigation techniques. The Town of Islip Traffic Safety Department has determined that traffic mitigation techniques would be helpful and that several traffic roundabouts would provide the traffic calming that the area needs. CI Downtown Courts Federal, State and County Courts Education Touro Law School, New York Institute of Technology Marriott Residence Inn Extended Stay; Marriott Hotels Courtyard (under construction) Minor League Baseball Long Island Ducks Central Islip Town ball fields, Gull Haven golf course, Public Recreation Recreation center. Senior apartment complexes, non-age restricted apartments, townhomes, condominiums, affordable Multifamily housing; Eastview Dr. - Townhomes and Condominiums; Housing recently approved apartments, Bishop McGann Village - Senior Apartments; Park Row - Townhouses and apartments; Court Plaza - Senior Apartments St. John of God R.C. Church, Church of Messiah Episcopal Churches Church, Central Islip SDA Church, First Methodist Church Target, Home Depot, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Retail/Service Auto Zone, Boost Mobile, 7-Eleven, Citi Bank, TGIF, (chains) Carrabbas, C Town Supermarket, Compare Supermarket, 2017 DRI Application 5 | P a g e Checkers, H R Block, USA Gas station, Family Dollar store, Gulf Gas Station. Deli, grocery, funeral home, auto repair shops, cleaners, Retail/Service nail salon, restaurants, card store tax preparation (independent) services, laundry services. Law offices, dental office, courthouse corporate center, Offices pediatrics Central Islip Fire Department, Knights of Columbus hall, Adelante Long Island (multi service community resources Community center) Anthony Alfano school (early childhood development center), Senior Center, L I Head Start. Ascent Pharmaceuticals, Chemical Vapor Depositions Research/Industrial (CVD) Equipment. DOWNTOWN