Music speakers to be installed in Lynbrook's shopping district

Downtown Lynbrook is about to get a musical upgrade. Over the next few months, village officials will be moving forward with a plan to install wireless speakers that will play music throughout the shopping areas in Lynbrook. Installation is expected to begin within 60 days.

The village’s board of trustees has hired the company Airnetix to provide the speakers for the project. Airnetix, based in Georgia, has installed similar speakers for many other shopping districts across the nation. The company’s technology, dubbed StreetSounds, is specifically designed to play audio outdoors on street level and in shopping centers, according to Mayor Alan Beach.

“The StreetSounds system will create an ambience for downtown and encourage additional foot traffic to patronize the many eateries, retail stores, and other businesses in the downtown business district,” Beach said. “It will also be one of the many elements that will help create a vibrant downtown for Lynbrook.”

Beach said that by installing the speakers, he and the board of trustees hopes to create a pleasurable and inviting atmosphere that encourages shoppers and visitors to return. The units will be installed throughout the primary walkable areas of downtown, starting with Atlantic Avenue, between Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road.

The project, which will be completed by the Department of Public Works, will be done in three phases. The first phase, which includes the installation of the main transmitter and wireless speakers, will cost $15,000. The final two phases will cost less because there is no transmitter involved. Once installation begins, the project is expected to be completed within 30 days.

The speakers will be used to play many different types of audio. The music will be adjusted to play corresponding music for the holiday season and fitting for other events during the year. The speakers also have the capability of playing satellite radio. Officials plan to play music through the speakers during parades and festivals, and will also use them for emergency broadcasts and to make other announcements.