The Village of Farmingdale recently took first place honors in the New York Conference of Mayors' (NYCOM) 2002 Main Street Competition. The village, which has been working on the revitalization of Main Street and other areas in Farmingdale received the prize recently from NYCOM President Ellen Polimeni.

According to Village Clerk-Treasurer John Giordano, receiving this award is a proud accomplishment for the village, particularly since local officials and organizations have been working to revitalize and beautify the area for several years.

He noted that the village began to work on downtown revitalization back in the early 1990s when officials noticed that there was close to a 20 percent vacancy rate of the stores on Main Street.

"Since that time we developed an incremental plan to revitalize the downtown area," Giordano explained. "Over that period we were able to successfully obtain grant money that resulted in installing brick sidewalks, ornamental lighting, benches, litter baskets, storefront signs [and] parking signs to help give Main Street a facelift."

Giordano added that the village also received grant monies that allowed for parking changes along Main Street, including removal of parking meters. In addition, the village was able to purchase a liquor store and then knock it down to construct an access road, which includes a pedestrian plaza and sidewalk pedestal clock that was donated by the Rotary Club, from Main Street into one of the shopper parking lots. The clerk-treasurer noted that the village's success in easing parking concerns in the village helped them receive a first place award by the Nassau County Village Officials Association a few years ago for best downtown parking solutions.

In addition, the village obtained landmark status for the Farmingdale Railroad Station and a quarter million dollar grant to restore the railroad station to its turn of the century look. Giordano added that the village was also successful in lobbying to keep the post office on Main Street.

"There was a threat that the post office was going to move and one of the fundamental aspects of maintaining a healthy main street is to make sure your institutional uses, like the village hall, train station and post office, maintain a presence on Main Street," he said.

Giordano added that local community groups greatly assisted the village in the revitalization projects, including the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club and Beautification Committee, which was responsible for the many flower boxes and plants along Main Street. He added that Boy Scouts were also involved in some of the projects, including the painting of the flower boxes.

"We were also able to get the Women's Club to help us develop the Main Street Park at the corner of Melville Road. [Instead of] vacant land, the entrance to our downtown is now graced by a gazebo, park lights and a sitting area with brick sidewalk," he said.

Giordano noted that Farmingdale was particularly noted for its ability in reducing the vacancy rate on Main Street from nearly 20 percent down to zero. He added that while some of the stores on Main Street may not be currently occupied, they are under lease and new tenants will move in soon. He also noted that many landlords of Main Street properties currently have prospective tenants on waiting lists. NYCOM also cited Farmingdale for its economic achievements, business recruitment strategies and coordination of special events.

Farmingdale, a member of NYCOM, had never entered the competition prior to this year. The municipality was in competition with over 400 others across New York State. Giordano noted that the village felt this was an appropriate time to apply for the award, as much of the revitalization has been done and the village now looks to work into other locations.

"The revitalization of Main Street is an ongoing, evolving process," he said. "We were able to extend the success of Main Street onto Conklin Street and we are continuing to look at these areas and other outside areas."

The village particularly takes pride in the fact that they were successful in appropriating grant money so that revitalization projects could take place without the need to use residents' tax dollars.

Farmingdale Village Mayor Joseph Trudden added that the village was very honored to have received the award.

"We are honored that the New York Conference of Mayors selected Farmingdale Village to serve as a model for improved downtown areas statewide," Trudden said. "This distinction is a credit to the hard work and diligence of all residents and business owners who have supported revitalization efforts to make Main Street a thriving shopping and business district."