Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Village of Lawrence is marking the first year under its new mayor and board of trustees with more than $1.4 million in government-backed projects — from infrastructure upgrades to beautification efforts — and more are on the way.
Working with county and state officials, the village tapped into grants that are funding a wide range of projects, including road repairs and upgrades of public safety and infrastructure.
On Aug. 19, Mayor Samuel Nahmias posted a State of the Village address to social media and the village website, highlighting the grants that have been secured and projects that launched this summer. While not all of the work has been completed, more improvements are on the way, he said.
“These projects reflect what collaborative government can achieve,” Nahmias wrote. “They’re not just line items — they’re lasting investments in safety, accessibility, and quality of life. We are dedicated to fostering long-term, sustainable growth while preserving the unique charm and vitality of our beautiful village. Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more vibrant Lawrence — one that we can all take pride in, today and for generations to come.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Howard Kopel, presiding officer of the County Legislature, secured $1.24 million through a county grant in May.
The grant was pumped into several infrastructure and safety initiatives, including beautifying Rock Hall Road with eco-friendly landscaping, building a new sidewalk and bike lane to improve its walkability and safety on the road, and installing surveillance cameras throughout the village. The village also invested $411,000 of the grant for a new ambulance and $206,400 for a fire truck.
The grant will also fund the replacement of 800 village streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs, a project that will begin in the next few weeks, according to Village Administrator Gerry Castro.
“I love this village, and I am delighted that I have an opportunity to do something for the village and for my fellow neighbors,” Kopel, a Lawrence resident since 1987, told the Herald on May 30. “I mean, obviously, there’s several safety aspects of it. There’s the cracked and broken blacktop that needs to be replaced. So that’s a safety issue, as well as a beautification issue. Everyone’s happier living in a pretty, well-maintained neighborhood.”
On top of the county grants, the village is planning to allocate $1 million to repave Muriel Avenue, Margaret Avenue, Copper Beech Lane, Waverly Place, Mistletoe Way, Mulry Lane and Sutton Place South.
The village has also begun installing new parking meters that accept coins, credit cards and mobile-app payments.
Several other projects are also in the works, including a beautification program focused on sidewalk repairs and tree-trimming to improve safety and visibility throughout the village, as well as a partnership with the Cape Cod Greenhead Fly Control agency to place more than 200 traps across marshes and neighborhoods to combat the flies.
“The laws, systems and grants are constantly evolving, constantly changing,” Castro said. “So that’s why there has to be this close relationship with other officials, whether it be county, town or state, so that we don’t miss out on any opportunities.”
In addition, State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Assemblyman Ari Brown helped secure a $150,000 grant for the village in February to fund structural repairs to streetlights along Rock Hall Road and the Lawrence side of the Nassau Expressway.
The lighting issue had plagued the village for years, prompting Nahmias to address it during his tenure as chairman of the Nassau County Bridge Authority, from 2022 to 2024, since it also affected the highway leading to the bridge.
When Nahmias first addressed the problem, 43 of the 54 malfunctioning lights needed new bulbs, which were quickly replaced. The other 11 had sustained structural damage during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and their wiring had deteriorated from saltwater exposure.
Using the state grant, the village repaired those 11 lights, which have been operational since late June. Village officials said they would continue to monitor the fixtures.
“The revitalization of the Village of Lawrence is a testament to what can be accomplished when leaders and residents work together with vision and determination,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said in a statement to the Herald. “I commend Mayor Nahmias and the Trustees for their dedication to enhancing the vibrancy of the village. The Village of Lawrence is moving forward with confidence, and I am grateful to be a partner in this exciting progress.”
Have an opinion on the village’s projects? Send a letter to mberman@liherald.com.
