Bill authorizes $750,000 in infrastructure improvements for Copiague Commons
(Long Island,NY) The Suffolk County Legislature has authorized the use of up to $750,000 for infrastructure improvements that will support Copiague Commons, a planned affordable housing project in downtown Copiague. Conifer Realty and the Community Development Corporation of Long Island will partner to construct the development.
The legislation, passed yesterday, affirms that Copiague Commons meets the requirements of the Suffolk County Affordable Housing Opportunities Program, through which capital bond proceeds are appropriated for infrastructure improvements associated with affordable housing projects. The county money may be used toward improvements such as sidewalks, curbs, lighting, draining, residential parking, utilities, sanitary systems and landscaping. The money must be repaid to the county after 30 years.
“Quality affordable housing must be at the heart of any effort to revitalize a downtown,” said Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory, whose legislative district includes Copiague. “I commend the County Executive for his commitment to making this project a reality, as communities cannot thrive if people cannot afford to live in them. Copiague is full of both promise and potential, and I look forward to welcoming the first residents who will call Copiague Commons home.”
Copiague Commons will replace an existing industrial building at 54 Railroad Ave. with two four-story multifamily apartment buildings containing 90 one- and two-bedroom units. Seventy-one of the units will be marked as affordable units for households earning 60 percent or less of the Area Median Income (AMI), and 18 units will be affordable for households earning 100 percent or less of the AMI. The remaining unit will serve the on-site maintenance superintendent.
“Investments in our communities that assist in creating affordable housing opportunities are in the best interests of all Suffolk County residents,” stated County Executive Steve Bellone. “Increasing our housing stock will provide opportunities for our young people to remain on Long Island and assist in reversing the brain drain that has plagued our region for many years. This project will put people to work and provide the much-needed framework for vibrant downtowns right here in Suffolk County.”
Additionally, Presiding Officer Gregory will hold a press conference this Friday at which he will announce the award of a $100,000 Downtown Revitalization grant from Suffolk County to the Copiague Chamber of Commerce for high visibility crosswalks and streetscape improvements. Gregory will be joined by Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, who will be announcing the award of a $100,000 grant from New York State’s Aid to Localities Fund to the Town of Babylon. The money will be used for streetscaping, parking improvements and façade renovations throughout Copiague. County Executive Bellone will also attend.
