Huntington Station, NY – October 7, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Suffolk Executive Steve Levy joined Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone and town board members on October 5 for the razing of dilapidated structures as part of a program to transform Huntington Station blight into attractive, affordable housing. The effort closely follows another key step taken by the town, county and other partners related to the creation of a new ‘business incubator’ launch pad for entrepreneurs.
The housing initiative will transform three rundown houses into eight ownership units with accessory apartments. The county and town each spent $389,000 to acquire two lots on Columbia Street, and the town combined the purchased houses with property the Town already owned to form the site for the houses that will be built. Suffolk is also providing $100,000 worth of roads, curbs, lighting, sidewalks and sewer piping for the workforce homes that are being built or renovated in an effort to revitalize the community and make it desirable for incoming families and young people. Construction of the new units will be funded by a $1.56 million state Restore NY Communities grant, and the town will conduct a lottery for the houses next September.
“We were happy to partner with Huntington to provide this property for rehabilitation and to remove blight from the area,” said Levy. “Affordable housing is an important factor contributing toward downtown and community revitalization.”
The 16 units will be contained in eight duplexes, each of 2,000 square feet including a garage and a legal accessory apartment. They will be made available to first-time homebuyers, selected by lottery, meeting income requirements. The tenants of the eight apartments will also have to meet income requirements. Priority will be given to residents of the Huntington school district.
The Columbia Street Development is being planned as part of the Take Back the Blocks program – the latest measure to revitalize the Huntington Station community. Through the collaborative efforts of Suffolk County, Huntington Town, New York State and non-profit organizations Housing Help Inc. and the Huntington Interfaith Affordable Housing Loan Fund, derelict houses and properties are being cleaned up and transformed into affordable housing, providing lower-income families with the ability to own their own homes.
Huntington and Suffolk also played prominent roles in the new business incubator facility that will open in early 2011, to nurture the development of entrepreneurial companies, helping them survive and grow during the start-up period, when they are most vulnerable. Huntington purchased the building and provided a $200,000 block grant. With noteworthy support from Suffolk Legislator Lou D’Amaro, the county provided $150,000 as part of Levy’s program to assist small business development in economically distressed areas. State, federal and private funds are also being utilized.
Last week marked the kickoff of a related, six-week workshop, “Business Start-Up: Creating a Launch Pad,” through the auspices of the Small Business Development Center at Farmingdale State College. The workshop includes all the basic information need to start a small business, including a self assessment of strengths and weaknesses; the advantages and disadvantages of the various legal structures; sales and employee tax responsibilities, and sources of financing.
Huntington Town Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said, “The Town appreciates Suffolk County’s financial contributions to these projects aimed at revitalizing Huntington Station and looks forward to continuing to work with the county as we revive Huntington Station’s economy and improve residents’ quality of life.”
