New Cassel residents, business owners and civic and community leaders joined together on Monday, March 31 to celebrate the adoption of the New Cassel Vision Plan.

The New Cassel Vision Plan is a product of the Úquot;Seeking a Shared Vision for New CasselÚquot; community visioning process that occurred in July 2002, where more than 600 business leaders, residents, youth, clergy and civic associations worked together with trained landscape designers and architects to articulate their desires and hopes for New Cassel. Nine months later, the New Cassel Vision Plan Presentation represents literally the next step in the 'visioning process' toward economic revitalization.

Working in conjunction with the Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation and Sustainable Long Island, the Vision Plan outlines a series of design guidelines, changes to zoning ordinances and an implementation plan to revitalize Prospect Avenue according to the principles of sustainable development.

Almost 400 New Cassel residents came together on March 31 to listen as Rev. Dr. Lionel Harvey, president of UNCCRC, and the North Hempstead Town Board, along with representatives from Sustainable Long Island presented the plan to the community. David Wasserman, commissioner of Building, Planning and Economic Development, shared multiple proposed blue prints that outline a Prospect Avenue rich with businesses and restaurants and safe sidewalks to walk upon.

Úquot;It is our hope that Prospect Avenue will look quite different than it does today,Úquot; said Supervisor Newburger. Úquot;Prospect Avenue should be a place where people feel safe to stroll with their children and do their shopping; that is our vision for New Cassel, that is our vision for Prospect.Úquot;

Rev. Lionel Harvey, president of Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation, said, Úquot;This is a historic time for the New Cassel community, our vision is officially recognized and endorsed by the town.Úquot;

Patrick Duggan, executive director of Sustainable Long Island, said, Úquot;Supervisor May W. Newburger is a visionary and a leader in sustainable development on Long Island. The enthusiasm generated through the New Cassel community visioning process demonstrates that public participation is an essential first step in the revitalization process.Úquot;

Of the adoption of the plan, Supervisor Newburger said, Úquot;The people of New Cassel and Westbury deserve, like the people of each and every area of this town, a safe and cooperative community that provides a high quality of life for all those who live there. I am proud to say that now the Town of North Hempstead in collaboration with Unified New Cassel Revitalization Cooperation and Sustainable Long Island and the entire New Cassel community are one more giant step closer toward making this vision a reality.Úquot;