County Legislator Richard J. Nicolello, Mayor Dan Petruccio and the New Hyde Park Village Board are working in a cooperative effort to bring county and federal funds to renovate the business district along Jericho Turnpike. The initial stages of the project have been completed. This includes new facades for storefronts on the north side of Jericho between N. 11th and N. 12th Streets, new trash receptacles and new planters along Jericho. The village implemented these initial measures with community development funds administered through Nassau County.

The entire village board, Mayor Petruccio and Legislator Nicolello recently met with the officials of the County Department of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs to plan a larger "Operation Downtown" project. The project would be funded by community development monies and county capital funds dedicated to the "Operation Downtown" project. The Operation Downtown project for Jericho Turnpike may include additional facade improvements as well as the installation on new sidewalks with brick "pavers" for a border effect, decorative street lighting, park benches, new trash receptacles and new trees.

"Operation Downtown" is intended to revitalize local business districts in Nassau's communities. Economists, planners and business leaders emphasize the importance of a vital, attractive "Main Street" business district to the community at large. Moreover, the strength of the Long Island economy is directly related to the success of our local "downtown" businesses.

The architects who inspected and prepared preliminary proposals stated that Jericho Turnpike area of New Hyde Park provides an excellent location for an "Operation Downtown" project. Although heavily trafficked, the area constitutes a recognizable "Main Street,' which may also be considered a gateway to Nassau. An application for the county funds will be submitted in the near future. The NHP application will compete with applications from other communities for county funding for 2002.