By Sahana Shastry, Qingxuan Bao, Hannah Mudry and Cristopher Caba
The Village of Westbury has undergone significant infrastructure and community upgrades since receiving a $10 million grant through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative in July 2016. In November 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the six projects funded by the DRI.
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative started in 2016 and aims to transform small business zones into livelier, cleaner spaces to increase redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. Westbury’s downtown corridor is a 1.4-mile stretch of Post Avenue from Jericho Turnpike to the north and Old Country Road to the south. Several projects in the zone have expanded transit, diversity, walkability and art installations, including construction of the Piazza Ernesto Strada (“the Piazza”), a 13,700-square-foot public space.
The DRI grant is provided by regional and economic councils comprised of community leaders in the different regions, including Long Island. The money comes from both public and private investment for community advocacy and political officials, and goes to all areas and regions of New York State.
“The money is used across communities of people. It can be used for housing, storefronts or street cleaning,” said the New York Governor’s office.
The improvements in Westbury since 2016 have helped transform the neighborhood, locals say. “It’s been wonderful. It’s been great for our business as well as the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Donna Commisso, owner of Adesso Hair Salon on Post Avenue, who has deep roots in Westbury, having attended Westbury High School and married at a local church. “It’s brought people back into Westbury for shopping and so forth because they are trying to bring back the smaller town stores, and I think it’s working.”
Maria Santiago, CEO of the Home Health Aide Training Institute and a longtime resident, praised the aesthetic and cultural improvements. “I like the fact that the sidewalks were redone,” she said. “I love the fact that we have nice faces on the establishments. And more than anything else, I love the fact that we have multicultural stores from every ethnicity you can see or buy something from us — and of course, a brand-new train station.”
Walkability
Louryes Roque, owner of the International Deli on Post Avenue, opened her business in 2009. “There have been many changes,” she said. “The streets, for example — Post Avenue, Maple Avenue and all around have been made very beautiful.”
Among the notable improvements are enhancements to roadway and pedestrian infrastructure aimed at easing traffic congestion and increasing safety, business owners say. “They did all new sidewalks, new paving, new street paving. They redid sewers here that were not so great. And the new apartments that they’re building everywhere” have attracted young people to the area, Commisso noted.
“It’s more welcoming and it has more areas for people to interact and sit in,” said Mario Alfaro, a student and lifelong Westbury resident.
The streetscape improvement project on Post Avenue was designed to increase pedestrian activity and ensure the street is safe and easy to navigate for pedestrians.
Jason Blair, owner of Nana’s Ice Cream and Coffee House on Post Avenue, commented on the improvements in the pedestrian space. “I do like that they put these crosswalks, because cars drive way too fast on this street, and it’s very dangerous, and women have strollers, and they’re trying to cross the street,” he said. “But it would be nice if the police came around and maybe enforced the crazy driving, you know, maybe pulled over some speeders, people that were maybe not slowing down for pedestrians, because that’s dangerous. You know, you don’t want kids getting hit by cars or anything.”
The Westbury DRI Plan document, developed by the Village of Westbury Local Planning Committee, highlighted these issues early on, noting that distances between crosswalks were excessive and north-south pedestrian signals at intersections were limited.
Alfaro said pedestrian accessibility is still limited, with crosswalks available only in select locations. “It’s only selective areas where you can actually cross,” he said. “And then if you want to cross, you have to walk to that area, so it would help to have just more areas to do that.”
Westbury’s future
The Westbury DRI Plan noted that the rental housing vacancy rate was below 4%, indicating a demand for additional housing, especially to attract more diverse residents.
Westbury’s racial demographics have shifted since 2000. While the White population represented a majority at the start of the century, diversity has since grown. The Hispanic and Latino population increased by 19.1%, the Asian population by 7.1%, and the number of residents identifying as two or more races reached 15.9% by 2023.
The village currently has 5,176 housing units. Between 2000 and 2014, that number increased by 10% and continues to grow. To help meet demand, Mayor Peter Cavallaro said the village will soon begin construction on a 187-unit apartment complex at Union and Linden avenues. About 12% of the units will be designated as affordable housing. The building is expected to open in early 2028.
This complex will be the third transit-oriented multifamily complex built in the area since 2022. Cavallaro said in an interview that he believes it will provide significant long-term benefits for the community.
“I want to commend [former] Governor Cuomo because he’s done an excellent job — and, of course, our mayor, Peter Cavallaro,” Santiago said. “He’s worked very hard in ensuring that there is a change in the environment of Westbury downtown. It’s been beautiful and it has changed the face of Westbury.”
Cuomo introduced the Downtown Revitalization Initiative in his 2016 State of the State address.
2025 DRI winner
This year, the Village of Hempstead was awarded $10 million to revitalize its village. Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. said he is determined to increase community engagement. “Hempstead is the hub of Nassau County,” he said. “We want to make [the] downtown more walk-friendly.”
Village officials plan to expand sidewalks, introduce outside dining and increase street safety. Hobbs said he expects an increase in bicycle and scooter use. “I’m hoping the downtown area looks like it’s constantly full of activities,” he said.
The downtown is expected see a new cultural arts center, and parks will serve as venues for concerts and plays. Civic groups made up of residents and business owners were asked to offer input on other possible projects within the village.
“We want to make [the] downtown more walk-friendly.”
Waylyn Hobbs, Hempstead Village Mayor
Among Hobbs’ goals is to build multifunctional apartments and offices with storefronts in the bottom half and residential spaces in the top half. In general, apartments of this size would take at least 12 months to build; however, the village is expediting the process. There is no expected deadline for these projects.
Hofstra University offered a letter of support for Hempstead’s DRI application that was submitted to the governor’s office. “Hofstra is proud to support the Village of Hempstead in their efforts to revitalize their downtown, and we are thrilled that they will receive $10 million from New York State for that purpose,” said Hofstra University’s president, Susan Poser, in a written statement. “Economic development, including a thriving downtown and affordable housing, will benefit the whole area and create additional opportunities for Hofstra and the Village of Hempstead to collaborate and strengthen our community ties.”
Hempstead officials had submitted an application three times before the grant was approved. “Third time’s a charm,” Hobbs said.
Westbury completed the village’s revitalization over seven years. Hempstead officials expect a five- to eight-year process.
