Residents of Glen Cove filled the parish hall of St. Rocco's Church on Thursday, March 6 for a initial presentation by Urbitran, the engineering, architecture and planning firm hired to study a revitalization of the Cedar Swamp Road corridor, the half-mile gateway to Glen Cove that runs from Sea Cliff Avenue to Pearsall Avenue. The study by Urbitran will analyze the corridor and make recommendations to improve the economic viability of the area as well as pedestrian and traffic conditions.

The project is sponsored by Nassau County and the City of Glen Cove and estimated to cost $98,000, with $70,000 in funds from the county and $28,000 from the city.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi spoke of his desire to identify and preserve the character of this section of Glen Cove, which he called a "special place," and the importance of going forward with a fully developed plan for its restoration. County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi added that there have been attempts made in the past, some while he served as mayor, to revitalize the area, but, as yet, none have come to fruition. "I didn't fully develop the vision," he said, "so now we are here to see what the people want." He added with a smile that, as Cedar Swamp Road is a county road, "It's lucky for Glen Cove that I'm the county executive." Cedar Swamp Road is more than 100 years old, and still holds remnants of buildings dating back to that time.

The meeting was facilitated by Deborah Howes, director of community planning for Urbitran and Cedar Swamp Road corridor project manager. Ms. Howes began with a PowerPoint analysis of current conditions, then segued into suggestions for improvement. The presentation listed the goals of the study as establishing a "sense of place," improving linkage to the downtown and supporting retail, dining and cultural land uses while conforming to Nassau County new Suburbia Economic Development initiatives.

The corridor is the first part of one thread that would run from the entrance to the city, through the heart of the downtown, and on to the waterfront, agreed Ms. Howes, Mayor Suozzi and County Executive Suozzi.

The presentation included what Ms. Howes called a "SWOT analysis," which identifies internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats in a study area. While the acronym works for that vocabulary, Ms. Howes remarked that Urbitran prefers to refer to "threats" as "challenges," a much more positive word. Simply stated, the would-be SWOC analysis seeks to "craft a vision for the future that takes advantage of the strengths and opportunities and is able to overcome the weaknesses and challenges with specific steps that can be implemented in the short term and over time," according to the study.

Currently, almost half the land use is commercial, including retail establishments, service companies, offices and restaurants, with 32 percent of the area made up of school, park and church land, 8 percent covering the Long Island Rail Road Glen Street station, 9 percent being residential, and 4 percent a mix of residential and commercial (apartments above storefront businesses).

A strength of the corridor is its traditional village mix of these features, as well as the surrounding longtime neighborhoods. The area is served by transportation and as evidenced by the event's locale, St Rocco's provides a fine community center.

Weaknesses cited included the aforementioned lack of a "sense of place," a phrase mentioned often through the evening.

Current streetscape includes a variety of architectural styles and conditions on building frontage, infrequent trees and "mostly non-existent" shrubs, planters and flowers, inconsistent signs and awning, overhead utility wires and a lack of pedestrian amenities, such as benches and trash receptacles. Sidewalk conditions vary, according to the study, from good to poor, with disadvantages including numerous curb cuts and driveways, making it difficult to navigate on foot, and inadequate lighting for pedestrians, the lighting being more suited to vehicles. Additionally, the wide street offers difficulty to pedestrians trying to cross and is not bicycle-friendly.

Cedar Swamp Road is considered a "collector road," as it brings together traffic from adjacent neighborhoods and connects larger roads to the downtown. While the speed limit is 30 mph, said Ms. Howes, the road seems to be "built for speed." As cars enter Glen Cove after traveling in a faster zone, it is estimated that the speed on Cedar Swamp Road averages between 40 and 45 mph. Auto accident rates are approximately twice the statewide rate for similar roads under normal conditions, and three times the rate under wet conditions.

Having county funds allocated for streetscape improvements are a certain opportunity for revitalization of the corridor. The study also stated that regional residential growth could support additional retail, dining and services and the revitalization of the waterfront may attract additional visitors to Glen Cove, who would follow the thread from the corridor through the downtown. There is also potential for "Transit Oriented Development (TOD)" which creates walkable communities centered around public transportation.

Challenges for the Cedar Swamp corridor project range from the universal uncertain economic conditions and funding issues to regional competition for retail and luxury residential living. Also, the train line at that TOD is not a direct line to the New York City and other metropolitan hotspots.

Guided by the results of the study, said Ms. Howes, Urbitran suggested that the county, in partnership with the city, might fund design and construction improvements to the corridor to include landscaping, street furniture and lighting as well as addressing traffic circulation improvements. Glen Cove, with additional input from the Master Plan currently in formation, might consider changes to zoning regulations, develop design guidelines and assist property owners with grants and loans for façade improvements. Private property owners might then be inspired to make investments in or improvements to their property.

Following the presentation, the audience broke into small groups to brainstorm, with a follow-up summary by Ms. Howes, who said she was very impressed with, not just the amount of feedback from participants, but also the positive nature of responses. Suggestions ranged from tree-lined streets to diagonal parking to a median in the center of Cedar Swamp Road, which evolved by some to a European-style plaza.

Not everyone, however, had visions of Vienna waltzing in their heads. one resident was concerned that the project would result in higher taxes; another expressed concern that the project would be begun, but not completed.

Ms. Howes reported that Urbitran will now do a site analysis and prepare a design recommendations report. The next public information meeting will be held in late June, at which time Urbitran will present potential solutions for the corridor and recommended actions, followed by a project feasibility study. At a meeting in September, they will present the final recommendations of the study and accept comments from the public.

Further information can be found at www.glencove-cedarswamproad.com.