By JOSEPH KELLARD
Last summer, the Town of Hempstead installed new curbs and sidewalks featuring red brick, ornamental lightposts, benches, trash receptacles and trees on the east side of Long Beach Road from Davison and Belleview Avenues. The new project, which will sport these same features, runs along the west side on the same section of road, but will extended further to Atlantic Avenue.
"I think it makes the heart of Oceanside look really beautiful," said Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino.
At town hall meetings in Oceanside hosted by Santino, several residents expressed concern about the town's appearance, particularly along Long Beach Rd., which they believed looked shabby and in need of renovations and other improvements.
"Town beautification is a recurring theme and one we have taken some pretty concrete steps to improve," Santino said.
In years past, Nassau County financed sidewalk revitalization along a one-block section on the west side of Long Beach Rd. from Belleview Ave. to Atlantic Ave.
"The County decided to stop at that point and the Town decided to pick up the ball on the sidewalk beautification project," Santino said.
"I believe that was all that was planned to do at that time," said Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside).
The cost of the current project is $271,517, which is financed by the town's Community Development Funds (federal monies). Catalist Construction began the construction on June 3 and is expected to complete it in two months.
"We look to keep up these projects and do more next year," he said.
