Millions more for revival

Hempstead Turnpike, as it passes from Queens into Nassau County, is not a remarkable stretch of road. The most memorable sight is the looming Belmont Park and its wide, empty parking lots. The lots give way, after a few blocks, to rows of stores that face the Belmont barns.

The Town of Hempstead has promised for years to redevelop the area to help boost the community’s profile, and now the town is backing up that promise with $2.4 million in state funds.

“There is a lot of energy and enthusiasm in Elmont as government leaders and community residents are focused on exciting revitalization projects,” Town Supervisor Kate Murray said, pointing out a dozen Elmont residents who showed up to celebrate the state funding. “I want to thank Governor Paterson for keeping the energy and enthusiasm alive with a $2.4 million start grant that will give an important facelift to downtown Elmont.”

David Paterson issued a statement calling investment an Elmont a wise course of action. “Even in difficult economic times, we need to continue making critical investments that can be leveraged to transform our communities,” he said. “Given the situation with the state budget, it is more important than ever to ensure that those investments are smart ones. Given the significant amount of input, involvement and support from residents at the grass roots level, I believe that the transformation of Elmont is one of the smartest investments we can make, which will yield a substantial return for Long Island and New York State.”

Over the past few months, Hempstead officials have drawn attention to a number of local projects in Elmont, including a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the impending opening of local senior co-ops and the opening of an equine hospital serving the racetrack. Now, leaders say, Hempstead Turnpike is going to get the facelift it so desperately needs.