Seeking A Shared Vision for New Cassel, a major community revitalization initiative, kicked off last week with a series of workshops, focus groups and walking tours. The four-day event, which began with a press conference on Thursday, July 25 and concluded with a presentation of ideas on Monday, July 29, is part of an unprecedented community visioning process.

The purpose of the revitalization initiative was to provide New Cassel residents, small business owners, public safety personnel, educators, clergy, youth and civic groups with the opportunity to work with elected and appointed officials, planners, architects, and design professionals, in an intensive, focused design process. All ideas were welcomed, and the most viable ones will be included in a graphically detailed final report.

Seeking A Shared Vision for New Cassel was a collaborative planning process sponsored by the Town of North Hempstead in partnership with the Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation and facilitated by Sustainable Long Island and Walkable Communities, Inc. Both the Westbury Salvation Army and the First Baptist Church of Westbury hosted the many workshops and presentations over the course of the four days.

During last week's press conference, Rev. Doctor Lionel Harvey, president of Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corp. (UNCCRC), said, "Today is a great day for New Cassel. We are just so excited about seeking a new vision for the area ... This is not just a one shot deal. This is a long-term collaborative relationship that will enhance the economic viability of our community on a systematic level."

He added that the project would not have been possible without the generous technical assistance and support from Sustainable Long Island, local clergy, concerned community members and grants from Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund and the Town of North Hempstead Community Development Agency (CDA) and UNCCRC.

Throughout the weekend, nine groups comprised of New Cassel community members town officials, designers, architects and planners were formed. Each group then created blueprints and scale-sized models of a revitalized New Cassel wish list. The various suggestions and ideas were then showcased during Monday's closing presentation and included such aesthetic improvements as the planting of trees, laying of brick sidewalks and refacing of buildings, as well as placement of trash containers along Prospect Street to reduce liter.

Lauren Corcoran, director of public affairs for the Town of North Hempstead, said, "Most residents would like to see a new community center next to Bunky Reid Park, and would also like the park and its facilities to be expanded."

Rudy Vanterpool, program administrator of the New Cassel/Westbury Youth Services, agreed, saying, "To me and to my agency, this is important because hopefully we will have an all-purpose center to house both youth and seniors. This would provide help for the youth who are currently hanging out on the street. It would give them a place to play and to learn, to move them in a different direction of life."

Corcoran also said that affordable housing, improved businesses and slower traffic on Prospect Street are also looked at as necessities. "There is a need for better businesses as well as linking free standing shopping areas together," she said. "There is a definite need for new affordable housing that is in the best interest of all ages and socioeconomic levels. [As for the traffic,] some suggestions include having a traffic circle or making the road into two lanes with meridians to slow traffic down." Corcoran added that reconstruction and renovation of Prospect Street would require approval and cooperation from Nassau County as it is a county road.

Overall, business owners are hopeful that the initiative will have a positive effect on local commerce. "It is important because of looks," said business owner Elias Koudsi. "If you look up and down the street now, all you see is garbage. If the streets get cleaned and fixed up, people who are driving by will want to stop. It promotes commerce."

Jean Luckner, owner of Lucky's Buy and Sell, agreed, saying, "For a few years, we've had problems being open. There are people around who crowd the area in front of the stores, and garbage everywhere. If we clean things up, people passing by will see a nicer neighborhood."

Of the "Seeking A Shared Vision for New Cassel" initiative North Hempstead Supervisor May W. Newburger said, "The community was neglected for far too long and I have been determined that my administration would take the lead in making sure this happens."

While certain improvements can be managed within a short time, Corcoran said others will take longer and will require assistance. "Getting a building or bringing businesses in takes time," she said. "We've already lined up some businesses, but it is not a one day process. Much of it will take time, but there are things the community can expect from the town immediately."

Vanessa Pugh, program director of Sustainable Long Island, said that the event provides the residents of New Cassel opportunities for success. "The collaboration among the Town of North Hempstead, Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation and Sustainable Long Island exemplifies how best to achieve healthy sustainable communities," she said.

Overall, workshops such as the ones held in New Cassel last weekend, said Corcoran, provide the community with the opportunity to discuss what it is they want and need to make living and working in the community better. "The community was able to say what they really want [and] where they want it," she said. "We don't want to do things without the community's voice. That is not our goal. Our goal is to make sure the people of New Cassel have the most represented voice and feel that they rebuilt their community. People having a natural investment in it will make New Cassel better and want to make sure the area is maintained and has longevity."

For members of the community, the Seeking A Shared Vision for New Cassel initiative is essential for the overall betterment of their community. "This is the beginning of the process necessary to make New Cassel a Mecca of thriving business and mixed income housing for a viable downtown," said Rev. Harvey.