Appealing, not appalling is goal for businesses districts

There may have been a change of scenery for last week’s Envision Valley Stream meeting, but its community-based conversation filled with residents who care about what’s going on in the area was nothing new.

For the first time, the group hosted its meeting at the Community Center in Hendrickson Park instead of Sip This on Rockaway Avenue. The round-table discussion touched on a few subjects, but focused mainly on local businesses and ways to have certain owners spruce up their properties to make a more aesthetically pleasing Valley Stream.

David Sabatino, president of Envision, said an idea of customer-driven upgrades and maintenance for businesses was brought up. By having residents ask business owners with unappealing properties or code violations to take care of the issue could have a positive impact on the area.

“If you live near a business, or you frequent a business, or you see something that’s a code violation that you really feel has a negative impact on the community and something that the business owner doesn’t seem willing to change based on you asking them, you have to call Code Enforcement,” he said. “That’s what they’re there for.”

One way to see what business owners would respond to, Sabatino said, would be to work with the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce and see what its members think of the situation.

Also, Sabatino said, it’s important to have diversity in a downtown area. If a row of stores or buildings all have the same look there won’t be anything unique about the neighborhood, he explained.

“It wouldn’t necessarily be painting every building on Rockaway Avenue the same color,” he said. “It may be little things that could enhance each storefront or each building.”

Mayor Ed Fare and Trustee Vincent Grasso were also in attendance to answer questions and voice their opinions in regard to Valley Steam business upkeep.

Envision’s next meeting will take place on May 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Sip This.