Town finishes Inwood streetscape project

A $329,000 Town of Hempstead streetscape improvement project funded by federal money was completed in October and includes new light posts and stamped concrete and colored brick patterns.

The beautification extends from Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island on Doughty Boulevard to Bais Tefila synagogue at Mott Avenue and ends just before Jefferson Street.

The Community Development Block Grant program, funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, gave the green light to the town to move forward with renovations. The town’s Planning and Economic Development department applied for the grant and was approved in September 2021, but renovations did not began until August of this year. It completed its Inwood streetscape in October of this year after submitting its application for one in June 2021.

“This recently completed project helps beautify our home while contributing to the Town of Hempstead’s suburban quality-of-life,” Councilwoman Melissa Miller said in a statement.

The CDBG provides annual grants to states, cities, and counties to provide a better environment in communities, which equals a better environment. Town spokesman

Casey Sammon said the project cost was $329,000. The grant amount was not disclosed; however, it was enough to pay for the project “I’m always proud to help spearhead local projects that improve the infrastructure of our neighborhoods,” Miller said. 

Renovations were done on the side of Bais Tefila synagogue on Mott Avenue. Although the wait took longer than expected, Mott Avenue residents questioned why the streetscape didn’t extend further down their block instead of ending at the side parking entrance of the synagogue.

Inwood resident Jennifer Draga expected more to have been worked on the block instead of what was done. “When I saw the sign, I had figured it would be everywhere,” she said. “I think it’s so pretty. I just wished they did more.” Draga was referring to the huge Inwood Streetscape sign the town placed on Doughty Boulevard, immediately outside Bais Tefila.

When asked about why more work was not done on Mott Avenue, Sammon noted the existing the narrow sidewalks, which altered the amount of work that could be down, along with possibly interfering with homeowner driveways. 

Safety was also a factor in the project’s focus with improved lighting considering the dramatic rise in antisemetic threats. With the Five Towns having a significant Jewish population, Sammon noted that resident security was taken into consideration.

“There were a lot of threats against the community there, and this was started as a safety thing, and residents would reach out about wanting more visibility and safer walkways,” he said.