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Supervisor Bosworth Builds Federal Support for North Hempstead’s Waterfront Revitalization Efforts


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 27, 2015
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Supervisor Bosworth Builds Federal Support for North Hempstead’s Waterfront Revitalization Efforts

Washington, D.C. – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth recently traveled to Washington, D.C. where she met with a series of senior Obama Administration and congressional officials to discuss the Town’s plans to transform its North Shore waterfront, as well as several other important issues.

“We are fortunate in the Town of North Hempstead to partner with such responsive federal elected officials, who are genuinely concerned with their constituents and always eager and willing to help,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “Over the past year we have received more than $16. 890 million in federal funding for a wide variety of projects in the Town and I am encouraged that we will continue to receive support from our collegaues in Washington.”

Supervisor Bosworth had productive visits with Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Steve Israel, Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, and the office of Senator Gillibrand to build support for North Hempstead’s community priorities. The congressional delegation pledged their assistance, stating that they will work with the Town to leverage federal resources with local funds for North Hempstead’s waterfront renewal.

The Supervisor’s principal focus was on securing funding for a waterfront visioning and redevelopment of North Hempstead’s coastline, which includes 31 miles along Long Island Sound, encompassing portions of Little Neck Bay, Manhasset Bay and Hempstead Harbor. The Town seeks to launch a waterfront visioning process that will engage residents and identify new economic revitalization and recreational amenities that will connect residents with the community’s maritime heritage. The visioning of the waterfront will also address improvements to strengthen the shoreline’s resilience to the impacts of extreme weather events.

The destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy left a lasting impact on North Hempstead’s waterfront and the Town is already receiving significant federal aid to restore the area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing millions of dollars in support to rebuild critical infrastructure, including shoreline reconstruction, repairs of storm basins and seawalls, and upgrades to the Town Dock in Port Washington. Supervisor Bosworth traveled to Washington, DC to determine how other federal agencies can help leverage these efforts. Specifically, the Town explored:

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Resilience Funding – Supervisor Bosworth met with key leaders in NOAA’s National Ocean Service and Office of Coastal Management to identify resources to improve North Hempstead’s coastal resilience. The Town learned of forthcoming grants that can support its waterfront revitalization efforts.
  • National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants – North Hempstead is seeking NEA support to incorporate artistic design in the rebuilding of its Town Dock. NEA grants will leverage FEMA reconstruction dollars for the Town Dock, and help develop a space that can be a regional destination for arts, cultural and community festivities.
  • AmeriCorps Volunteers – Supervisor Bosworth also met with the director of the AmeriCorps program, which deploys its young members to communities across the country to help meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. The Town is exploring how to use AmeriCorps members for its waterfront efforts.
Supervisor Bosworth also spent time meeting with senior officials in the White House to discuss important efforts to mentor disadvantaged youth. In 2014, North Hempstead joined the Obama Administration’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative to “ensure that all young people – no matter who they are, where they come from, or the circumstances into which they are born – can achieve their full potential.” The North Hempstead team met with Jerry Abramson, the White House’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, to discuss the Town’s My Brother’s Keeper activities, and seek ways to strengthen the program. As the former Mayor of Louisville, KY, Mr. Abramson oversaw the revitalization of that city’s Ohio River waterfront, and Supervisor Bosworth was pleased to share ideas on a similar approach for North Hempstead.



North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth meets with Congressman Steve Israel recently to discuss federal funding for a waterfront visioning project in North Hempstead. The Supervisor was in the Capitol as part of her yearly trip to Washington to meet with local federal officials.

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