By Hector Flores
Denenberg invited Neal Lewis, executive director of the Neighborhood Network, and Bob Brickman, of the Nassau County Planning Department, to present an update on the project's ongoing study phase.
The presentation included a proposal to connect the South Shore to Garden City by rail via Freeport. The link would provide residents of North Merrick, Merrick, North Bellmore and Bellmore with a direct route into and out of the hub.
The presentation also included a conceptual design linking the boundaries within the hub, which comprises EAB plaza on the southeast, to Roosevelt Field on the northwest, and includes the Nassau Coliseum, Mitchel Field, Hofstra University and the Source Mall.
Denenberg explained the importance of the hub project in helping to reduce property taxes. "In the last couple of months, area residents have received their new tax bill and property reevaluations," he said. "Many residents were not happy to see increases in their taxes, but the hub project is the perfect way of avoiding future increases in taxes by increasing Nassau's revenue base."
Denenberg said the hub offers great tax revenue for the county. The hub's three square miles, with 15 million square feet of commercial and office space, generates $50 billion in annual revenue.
"The hub has a number of shopping centers, arenas, research centers [Hofstra University, Nassau Community College and museums], hotels, convention center and high-tech business that make the area very attractive."
Denenberg added that his town-hall meeting was timely because there are several transportation alternatives on the books to make the hub more accessible. "The study is primary transportation, and part of it is a vision of a downtown Nassau County as a center," Denenberg said.
Lewis said, "Our ultimate goal is to develop a hub that's both environmentally sound and that raises revenue. The county is looking to build a new voliseum to attract a [professional sports] team, but in order to do so, it must first resolve the transportation issue" in and out of the hub.
The planning commission is aiming for a 15 percent drop in traffic congestion around the hub by developing transportation alternatives.
As of now, there are eight alternative transportation technologies under consideration: a trolley, as used by New York University; shuttle bus, which is used in New York City; local bus, similar to the MTA's Long Island Bus; tapid vommute behicle, as used in Eugene, Ore.; monorail, as seen in Newark International Airport, in New Jersey; automated guideway transit, currently found at JFK International Airport in Queens; light rail transit, used in Hudson and Bergen counties upstate; and commuter rail, as currently used by the MTA Long Island Rail Road.
Lewis knows that it will be hard to convince Long Islanders to stop using their cars. But if the transportation alternatives were environmentally friendly, able to get people to work, had frequent runs and were clean, more residents would be eager to use alternative transportation, he said.
"Everyone must understand that it would not be faster than using your car," Lewis said. "It might take an extra 20 minutes to get to work. But if the extra time means less traffic congestion, I believe more people would leave their car at home."
Lewis also addressed the possible loss of small businesses with a bigger, better hub. "We are also considering ways of bringing economic growth to central Nassau without taking business away from other areas," he said. "One idea is to focus on developing sports-related businesses and entertainment in the hub area."
Brickman added that not only must the study look into getting people in and out of the hub, but also around it. "We are conducting a major investment study," he said. "And the first step is getting federal funds, but in order to do so, we must first develop a vision."
The vision Brickman hopes will attract federal funding is not only developing a direct route into the hub, but also an internal transportation loop system connecting all of the hub's vital areas.
The internal transit system would use current transportation alternatives and link Nassau Coliseum, Nassau Community College, Source Mall, Roosevelt Field, Museum Row and EAB Plaza. And according to Brickman, the internal transit system would also benefit those who decide to use their cars.
"If someone drives their car to Roosevelt Field Mall," he said, "they can then leave their car parked in the parking lot and travel inside the hub, and shop at other stores and malls without losing their parking spot."
The next HUB study update will take place sometime after the New Year, when the Nassau County Planning Department will begin narrowing down the HUB's transportation options.
For more information call Denenberg's office at (516) 571-6219.
