Downtown Syosset will soon get a facelift in the form of a streetscape and walkability improvement project, according to Oyster Bay Town Councilman Chris J. Coschignano, who announced that the Town has received a $1,260,704 federal Transportation Enhancements Program (TEP) grant administered by the New York State Department of Transportation.

“With this grant, residents can look forward to additional, improved and signalized crosswalks; decorative lighting; green spaces; landscaping, including trees at the curb line, decorative planters and hanging pots; replacement of concrete sidewalks with brick pavers; bicycle lockers near the railroad station building; benches; trash receptacles and information kiosks,” Councilman Coschignano said.

“This project was one of the recommendations made in the Syosset Downtown Redevelopment & Revitalization Plan, which was initiated by Town Supervisor John Venditto, myself and our fellow Town Board members as part of the Vision 2020 Plan for the Town,” Councilman Coschignano explained. “Working with a steering committee comprising dedicated volunteers who live and work in the community, we developed a plan that looks at every aspect of the downtown and outlines actions to develop the area’s potential to become a thriving traditional downtown for the community.

“This project will provide both safety and aesthetic benefits to the downtown area,” Councilman Coschignano stated. “By establishing a connecting pedestrian trail network within downtown Syosset, pedestrians will have a safer environment to access commercial areas for shopping and other businesses and to walk to and from the train station. This project will also soften the landscape, which currently is dominated by concrete, and make the downtown more attractive for pedestrians frequenting the area and those commuting on the railroad.  

“My fellow Town Board members and I, along with the members of the Syosset Downtown Redevelopment & Revitalization Plan steering committee. are very grateful to have been awarded this grant,” Councilman Coschignano said. “We know how competitive the TEP process is, and this grant reinforces our belief that the benefits of this improvement project make it worthy of federal funding. I know the residents of Syosset will be looking forward, as I am, to seeing this project implemented and enjoying the enhanced safety and aesthetic dynamic it will bring to the downtown.”

The Councilman noted that under the terms of the grant, the Town will contribute $315,176. He added that solutions for the traffic flow and parking issues cited in the plan will be addressed in future grant projects and Town capital funding initiatives.