Lawrence streetscape project under way

The village of Lawrence business district is in for a spring makeover. Construction began last month on a long-awaited streetscape project aimed at sprucing up Lawrence's Central Avenue and making it a more pleasant place for shoppers and business owners.

The revitalization will include the installation of new brick sidewalks, lights, benches and trees. The project is being designed and constructed by the Woodbury-based Cameron Engineering.

"It’s really going to dress up the downtown area," said Lawrence Mayor Simon Felder.

Village Administrator David Smollett said that if the weather cooperates, he hopes to see the project completed by the end of April, when spring is in full bloom. The work will cost around $500,000, with half of the total funded by a recent $250,000 state grant secured by Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) and the rest paid by the village, Smollett said.

Reaction to the project by Lawrence business owners has been mixed. "It sounds good," said Izzy Nakar, owner of Jerusalem Famous Pizza, at 344 Central Ave., who will see work outside his storefront. "Anything [the village] can do is nice."

Sal Leone, owner of Gino's Pizza, at 318 Central Ave., said that once the project is completed, it could benefit the area, but he added that he worries that business will be affected during construction. "It is blocking access to my store," Leone said of the installation of the sidewalks, which is making it harder for customers to get to his restaurant. "It is going to hurt my business."

Smollett said he does not anticipate that the construction will have much of an impact on Central Avenue businesses. "We're trying to minimize the impact with the current business environment," he said.

When they planned the project, village officials reviewed what nearby communities, such as neighboring Cedarhurst, did when they enhanced their business districts, Smollett said. Cedarhurst also used Cameron Engineering for its streetscape project.

Lawrence Association President Rochelle Kevelson said she hopes the project will help attract shoppers to the village and keep them there longer. "I want [people] to stay in the two blocks of our downtown," Kevelson said. "This will be a beautiful entrance to our community."