Monday, January 13, 2025
Long Beach is making strides in recovery and planning as it continues to address the long-term impacts of Superstorm Sandy, which caused an estimated $250 million in damages to the city.
A brown bag virtual event on Nov. 21 hosted by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council Executive Director Adam Levine, City Manager Dan Creighton and Director of Economic Development and Planning Patricia Bourne outlined the city’s progress and its vision for development.
“The comprehensive plan identifies key areas for improvement,” Bourne said, “including livable neighborhoods, a robust year-round economy and enhanced environmental and climate resilience”
Key projects highlighted during the presentation included improvements to Edwards Boulevard, upgrades to Bayfront infrastructure and investments in the city’s sewage treatment plant. Part of this vision is leveraging grants and partnerships to finance necessary infrastructure upgrades while planning for the city’s long-term needs.
An important aspect of Long Beach’s approach is addressing its parking and transportation challenges, which have become increasingly pressing in the city’s three main downtown areas. The city has dedicated $25 million to parking and traffic studies to understand current issues and identify solutions. These studies are expected to create strategies for better managing existing parking resources while exploring new opportunities for additional facilities.
The city is promoting multimodal transportation improvements to ease parking demand and encourage sustainable travel. Investments in the local bus system will better connections with the Long Island Rail Road station, making public transit a more viable option.
“We are an automobile-dependent community, and it becomes a huge issue when we don’t have parking for both ourselves and our visitors alike, especially when we’re trying to help our businesses thrive,” Creighton said. “It becomes very difficult when there’s not enough parking for even the residents that are here.”
Flood mitigation remains a priority, with approaches like permeable paving materials being considered for sidewalks and parking areas. These surfaces allow water to drain through, reducing pooling and preserving parking spaces during heavy rain or flood events.
The city is in the process of updating its zoning code to better align with current development patterns and community needs, potentially revising parking requirements for new projects. This step could lead to more efficient land use and improved parking availability, particularly as the city moves forward with its Bayfront redevelopment plan. The Bayfront area presents an opportunity to integrate parking facilities that serve both residents and tourists while contributing to a more balanced distribution of parking demand citywide.
“The code is over 35 years old,” Bourne said. “Obviously, since Sandy we need to make some changes, and also, housing patterns have changed. Development has changed, and people’s desires for walkable communities, for example, have changed. So we need to reflect that in the zoning code.”
Throughout these initiatives, Long Beach has emphasized the importance of collaboration. By working with regional partners, including NYMTC, the city is securing funding and coordinating efforts to create a more connected Long Island.
