Politics & Government

Sen. Schumer Hoping for LI Revitalization

Urges Federal agencies to focus on Island downtowns.

This week Sen. Charles E. Schumer voiced his opinion in a letter to three federal agencies to move forward with downtown revitalization plans on Long Island.

In the letter sent to the Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, Schumer asked the agency's heads to focus their efforts more on Long Island.

"Municipalities in Long Island have struggled to work through many of the land use planning and financial intricacies at the agency level," wrote Schumer, a frequent speaker at graduation day ceremonies in Sachem. "I highly encourage that your agencies conduct a public meeting and work session with residents of Long Island work through these problems."

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The letter was addressed to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and DOT Secretary Ray LaHood and is geared to get the new Partnership for Sustainable Communities to transform suburbs on the Island by increasing economic competitiveness, employment opportunities and transit options, Schumer wrote.

In Sachem the main area in need of revitalization would be Lake Ronkonkoma near Hawkins Avenue and Portion Road and in Ronkonkoma near the Long Island Rail Road Station. The Ronkonkoma HUB project is in the planning stages.

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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