Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, working along with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, unveiled a blueprint for Elmont - the "gateway" to the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County at a press conference at the intersection of School Street and Elmont Road.

The vision plan for the community's future focuses on revitalizing downtown Elmont, stimulating the local economy, beautifying commercial areas and community gathering points and attracting new businesses to underutilized sites. The plan also addresses issues such as transportation, public/community facilities, zoning priorities among other development imperatives.

The vision plan is the result of a collaborative effort that included hours of visioning meetings with government officials, local community leaders, religious officials, local businesses and, perhaps most importantly, the citizens of Elmont. Together, Elmont's stakeholders have created what they believe to be the most vibrant vision for Elmont's future.

"I am excited that Elmont is back, it has a bright future and together we're going to build a more vibrant and beautiful gateway to Hempstead Town," said Murray. "Various levels of government are working together along with members of the Elmont community to 'polish the gateway' to Hempstead Town."

"This blueprint for revitalizing Elmont is the result of many moving parts within Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead collaborating," said Suozzi. "I thank Supervisor Murray for the Town of Hempstead's partnership on this very important initiative to improve Elmont's infrastructure and create more economic opportunity for the residents of Elmont and Nassau County on the whole."

Some of the economic stimulus proposals released in the vision plan include the establishment of a business improvement district through which business and property owners could work cooperatively to redevelop vacant and underutilized properties and the creation of "workforce housing opportunities."

"We have an historic opportunity to capture the imagination, energy and vision of Elmont neighbors and reinvigorate this beautiful hometown and important business district," said Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino.

The improvement of Elmont does not end with economic stimulation; an improvement in walkability, bicycle accessibility and area roadways are all part of a more efficient and better Elmont. From promotion of pedestrian-oriented activities and businesses to providing ample and appropriate parking, the vision plan supported by the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County will help those in the community navigate their town.

The visioning plan is Hempstead's and Nassau's most recent effort aimed at building a better Elmont. The town has already accomplished a number of priorities and is pursuing other initiatives. Hempstead has begun streetscape improvements, replete with brick-paved walkways, Victorian streetlights and attractive plantings at Elmont Road, School Street and Hempstead Turnpike. The town's Department of Planning and Economic Development is in the midst of working with business owners to remake storefront facades at local businesses.

The town is also leading the way with concrete improvements to downtown Elmont centering around the proposed conversion of the former Argo Movie Theatre into a state-of-the-art, new supermarket. "I am thrilled that the Town Board passed an Urban Renewal Plan that will help revitalize the local business district and help restore a hub of Elmont's business district."

Additionally, Hempstead Town has "leveled" the playing field for Little Leaguers - literally - at a local park in Elmont. Responding to concerns voiced by outfielders at Averill Boulevard Park that they could no longer see home plate because sections of the field had sunken so dramatically, Murray and the Town Board embarked on a refurbishment project that excavated and re-graded the entire field. The project also installed a new drainage system.

"I am enthusiastic to be working with great government and community partners to create a blueprint for a better Elmont," concluded Murray. "I am proud to be part of what promises to be a great success story."

Also present at the press conference were Town Councilmen Ambrosino and James Darcy, County Legislator John Ciotti and several civic, business and community leaders including co-chair of the Elmont Coalition of Sustainable Development Sandra Smith and Elmont East End Civic Association president Patrick Nicolosi.