A town is only as wonderful as its caring residents, and caring does not even begin to describe the impassioned leaders of Port Washington. On Wednesday, June 3, Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington (Residents), along with representatives from the Town of North Hempstead, the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District and the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce, joined in a press conference at the Port Washington Long Island Railroad Station to present the completion of Phase One of the Main Street Vision.
The Main Street Vision is a three-phase project that aims to reform Main Street to create a pedestrian-centered, vibrant community. Now that Phase One has been completed, Main Street has teak planters, a new, living holiday tree at the train station, and The Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation Garden, which has been in progress for over two years, at the center of Upper Main Street. The Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation is a local nonprofit organization that aids the community in many respects, including the public library, the fire department and PYA. “Our goal is to help the community,” said Jim Avena, grant administrator of the foundation. Because of the foundation, “this garden will always look beautiful,” said Mindy Germain, Executive Director of Residents. Because of its proximity to Manhattan, Port Washington is an exceptional destination, and the train station is not only central for those who live here, but also for visitors, as it is the first thing they see upon arrival. The government and the community worked closely together, and will continue to do so throughout the next two phases, to ensure a lasting impression on visitors and locals. The next phase will include a Façade Aid Program for small businesses, which will offer Main Street businesses a design plan and up to $5,000 for outdoor lighting, new window boxes and other architectural details until December 31, 2015. Finally, in Phase Three, Residents will create a greater experience for pedestrians with new sidewalks, new parking plazas and a freestanding mural in the Shields merchant parking lot to showcase artwork.
These community officials are working to revitalize their home and make Port Washington an even more special place to be. “This community is now as beautiful as the hardworking people who live here,” said Judi Bosworth, Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead. And this is only the beginning.
