Huntington Station Business Improvement District

Will $75K Fix Huntington Station?
by Jane Lee Bock

January 10, 2003

Huntington officials are hoping that the $75,000 budget of a proposed Huntington Station Business Improvement District will provide enough enhancements to help revitalize it. The money will be raised by an ad valorem tax on the effected properties, starting small, but surely destined to grow.

At last night's Town Board meeting, the town accepted a proposal for the new district and scheduled a public hearing on the matter for February 11, 2003.

Funding for the activities of the business improvement district will be raised through taxation. According to the documents attached to the resolution scheduling the hearing, approximately 500 lots will be subject to the new tax which may not exceed 20 percent of the total general municipal taxes (general town and highway
part town taxes as specified on a property owner's tax bill). Those properties subject to the tax will be commercial properties.

A new not-for-profit corporation will be organized "for the purpose of executing the responsibilities of a Business Improvement District Management Association." That association will carry out the proposed activities which include: sanitation enhancement, security enhancement, promotion, retail education, capital
improvements, and administration.

The general area involved in the proposal is the area on and around New York Avenue between the Big H shopping center and the north side of Jericho Turnpike, including West Hills Road, and Depot Road as far as East 17th Street. According to the report, the population of that area is approximately 29,000.

The total first year budget is listed as $75,000. It is broken down as follows: security, sanitation, and promotion expenditures will be $15,000 each; administration will cost $5,000; capital improvements will cost $25,000.

Capital improvements anticipated in this proposed plan include: the acquisition and installation of special lighting, sidewalk planters, signage, clocks, trash receptacles and other forms of district beautification.

Copies of the proposal are available at the Town Clerk's office.

Winners were announced in the Huntington Tulip Festival Photo Contest, sponsored by Astoria Federal Savings Bank at Town Hall on January 9. First prize ($350) went to Vickie Dolce ($350); second prize ($200) to Dr. Ralph Ammorata and third prize ($100) toThomas Hedlin.

(click on photo for larger view)