The New York Metro Chapter is thrilled to announce the designation of Governors Island and Downtown Patchogue Village as “Great Places in America” by the American Planning Association in 2019! Governors Island in New York Harbor was named a “Great Public Space,” and Downtown Patchogue Village was named a “Great Neighborhood”!

Chapter President Max Sokol, AICP, Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs Shachi Pandey, AICP, LEED AP, and Professional Development Officer Alex Wallach, AICP were present in Washington DC for the announcement on Capitol Hill this morning.

APA’s Great Places in America program recognizes the streets, neighborhoods and public spaces in the United States that enrich communities, facilitate economic growth, and inspire others around the country.

The Long Island Section is deeply appreciative of Alex Wallach, AICP for his leadership and dedication in organizing the Great Places nomination and celebration for Downtown Patchogue Village!

CLICK HERE to download a .pdf version

A formal local announcement for the Downtown Patchogue Village designation will take place outside the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (71 E Main St, Patchogue, NY 11772) on October 19, at 11 AM, followed by a reception at the Theatre lobby area. The reception is a free event and requires an RSVP, please visit HERE.

A walking tour of Downtown Patchogue Village will commence from the Theatre at 1 PM, and will finish at the Blue Point Brewery at 4 PM. Participation requires the purchase of a Walking Tour Ticket. The Walking Tour Ticket includes access to the Reception at the Theatre (additional RSVP is not required), organized walking tour, and an after-party wristband for a free drink at the Blue Point Brewery. Tickets are limited, register HERE today.

Photo Credit: Walter Petrule

CLICK HERE to download the event program!

PRESENTATIONS

Session 1 [Coastal Erosion Districts]

Session 2 [Blueway Trail / Bay to Sound / Hike – Bike]

EVENT PHOTOS

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors!

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Stony Brook University

1500 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook, NY  11790

8:00am – 2:00pm

CLICK HERE to view full program and register online!

CLICK HERE to view the full program and register online!

Click on flyer to download .pdf version

Tour Recap

On Friday, August 9^th, members of the APA NY Metro Chapter met on the Long Beach Boardwalk for a morning of touring the City of Long Beach.  Patti Bourne, Director of Economic Development of Planning, greeted attendees and introduced the first of many speakers, DPW Commissioner John Mirando. Commissioner Mirando discussed Long Beach’s resiliency projects such as the Army Corps Dunes Project, the Northshore Bulkheading, new OEM Command Center, pump stations, and other flood mitigation strategies. Gordon Tepper, Senior Policy Advisor and Director of Communications, discussed the marketing of Long Beach, especially after Hurricane Sandy devastated the coastal community. Patricia Bourne talked about the importance of the boardwalk and its quick rebuild after Sandy.

The group then checked out the Skudin Surf Camp where Will Skudin discussed the uniqueness of Long Beach as a surfing destination. Will Skudin is an internationally ranked professional surfer who resides in Long Beach and teaches surfing lessons with his brother Cliff Skudin.

The group then hopped aboard an open-air trolley to explore more of Long Beach.  The tour was able to visit the West End, which is a tight-knit community that features many unique local businesses and restaurants.  The trolley route included Pennsylvania Ave, a block displaying a number of raised homes which were once beach bungalows. Many of these projects were funded by HUD CDBG-DR funds administered by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery.  The trolley then visited North Shore Bulkheading, a project to install new and replaced substandard bulkheads along the Bayfront of Long Beach utilizing FEMA and CDBG-DR funding.  The group then passed by the Long Beach Sewer Treatment Plant.  The STP is in the preliminary stages of a project to decrease nitrogen pollution and improve the water quality of Reynolds Channel.  This is a collaborative project between Nassau County and the City of Long Beach.  The tour ended at Long Beach City Hall where the group took a tour the new Office of Emergency Management Command Center (still under construction).

The morning concluded with lunch at a local restaurant where guest speaker, Leah Tozer, realtor and partner at Engel & Volkers, discussed the current real estate market on the barrier island, and the many challenges homeowners face due to sea level rise and new flood insurance requirements.

The Long Island Section would like to thank Patti Bourne, Rebecca Steiner and the City of Long Beach for organization and hosting an informative and fun morning by the sea. We look forward to announcing next year’s field trip!