Immediate Release Contact: David Chauvin
December 2, 2004 (516) 869-7794
New Cassel Groundbreaking Set for December 14th
New Cassel, NY – County Executive Tom Suozzi, Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Councilman Robert Troiano, Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation (UNCCRC), The Town of North Hempstead Community Development Agency (CDA), and Sustainable Long Island announced today that a ground breaking ceremony for the New Cassel Revitalization project has been scheduled for Tuesday December 14th at 1:00pm. The Ceremony will feature the Stoneridge projects and will take place at Site “B”, 816-822 Prospect Avenue, located between Siegel and Sheridan Streets. Among the featured speakers will be United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy.
"People define communities by their commercial areas. Prospect Avenue is plagued by a blighted and underutilized commercial strip. Despite the strong families and communities in New Cassel, this commercial strip undeservedly defines this community in a negative light. Working with the Town, the State and the Federal Government, we are going to change that. This combined public and private partnership and investment on Prospect Avenue, will revitalize the commercial area, the image, and the pride of the New Cassel community," stated County Executive Suozzi.
“I am happy to see that we have reached the construction phase of the New Cassel redevelopment,” said Supervisor Kaiman. “I look forward to witnessing New Cassel become a model for urban renewal and sustainable development.”
The Stoneridge projects were originally selected back in May by the Community Development Agency and received site plan approval by the Town board in September. “I am glad that the projects are moving into the ‘seeing is believing’ stage. Community members who have been in disbelief are finally seeing their plans to make Prospect Avenue a viable downtown center become a reality,” Councilman Troiano said.
Among the plans is a joint proposal with local businesses committed to opening a supermarket and an Internet café. A bank and a pharmacy are also planned for Prospect Avenue. In addition, 46 rental units and 12 condominiums will be built on these sites.
Rev. Dr. Lionel Harvey added, “As pastor of the First Baptist Church of Westbury, I have had the privilege of working with people on a spiritual and social level. However, true ministry transcends the four walls of the church. As president of Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation, God has given me the opportunity to meet the needs of the community on a spiritual, social, and economic level. This exceeded the traditional role of a modern day pastor. This Groundbreaking Ceremony is another vine that the church’s role is to meet the holistic needs of the community, as well as, insure that we move toward economic independence. I am confident that this ceremony will be a catalyst for even greater projects in this community. We are another step closer to realizing the vision for New Cassel.”
“The changes taking place in New Cassel are a model for downtown revitalization. Sustainable Long Island is pleased to be a part of this important day,” said Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director of Sustainable Long Island.
Nassau County, The Town of North Hempstead, the CDA, UNCCRC, Sustainable Long Island and members of the community began the process several years ago and chose to focus revitalization plans on Prospect Avenue by combining government and Community Development Agency resources.