New civic looks to continue improvements in Bellmore

The newly formed North Bellmore Civic Council held its first meeting in a packed room in the Bellmore Memorial Library on Oct. 22.

The meeting, organized in conjunction with the South Bellmore Civic Association, was attended by dozens of Bellmore residents. Town and county elected officials were also on hand to show support.

“I didn’t come to Bellmore saying, ‘I’m going to start a civic,’” said Sarah Chun, who founded the organization. “But there are little things we can all do to help our community.”

Chun and South Bellmore Civic President Alison Frankel highlighted a number of “eyesores” around the community that have improved with civic help. Spots like the Bellmore Post Office have fewer weeds and overgrown grass, and are now kempt and attractive. An entrance to Newbridge Park has potted plants where there was old, deteriorated painted concrete. Newly replaced light fixtures illuminate Bedford and Bellmore Avenues, and drains that were cluttered with garbage have been cleared.

County Legislator Steve Rhoads updated residents on the progress of the construction on Merrick Road, saying that the hot asphalt, or “hot patches,” are now being put in place. As part of the county’s 2019 capital plan, the road will be lifted and new concrete will be re-poured for a new level surface.

Other streets, like Judith Drive and Anthony Avenue, which failed a road test after scoring 19 out of 100, will be addressed soon.

Flooding is also a major issue in Bellmore, and the problem is not confined to South Bellmore’s shores. Iris Drive, Monroe Avenue and Linden Street in North Bellmore, among others, have had almost a foot of flooding.

Hempstead Commissioner of Engineering Douglas Tuman, who oversees major engineering projects in the town, took note of residents’ concerns. He said that funding was the main issue to tackle the problem, but if it’s approved, they can get to work.

Real estate developer Adam Mann stopped by to address concerns with a new Northwell Health building along Merrick Road. The new facility will not be the typical Northwell urgent care center — instead, it will be a full doctor’s office with normal business hours. The landscaping around the building has been improved as well, with new shrubbery, lighting and sidewalk finishing. Parking restrictions were established around the building, preventing vehicles from blocking the road, as did happen when a gym used to stand in the building’s place.

As many residents have noticed, the Bellmore Long Island Rail Road station has been closed off for renovations. Ryan Attard, an MTA employee who is overseeing the modernization project, assured residents that the project would be completed in November. The new waiting station will have a slew of new features, including USB charging ports, digital displays for train times, Wi-Fi, lighting, vibrant paint and modern architecture and more. Attard also offered to tour the site with the civics to note exterior concerns likes pigeon netting and graffiti.

Bellmore will also be included in the Blueway trail, a kayaking route that spans the south shore. Merrick’s Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve is part of this trail.

For Presidents Frankel and Chun, while many improvements may be small, they all help to make a brighter and more vibrant community.

Chun is currently seeking a vice president and treasurer; anyone interested can check out the civic council’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NorthBellmoreCivic/

“It’s all one step at a time,” Chun said.