The Friendly Bay Village

A bayside community celebrating its maritime roots while navigating smart growth and cultural vibrancy.

Nestled along the south shore of Long Island, Amityville, NY, lives up to its slogan as “the Friendly Bay Village” with a rich nautical heritage, a vibrant arts scene, and a tightly woven community. Mayor Dennis Siry describes it as “one of those communities where people that are born here are here for a long time, and people that move here become a big part of the community.”

Strategically positioned with a Long Island Railroad station and Route 110 transit corridor, Amityville offers seamless connectivity to Manhattan in just 90 minutes, making it an attractive hub for commuters. Recent growth initiatives, including a $10 million Downtown Revitalization grant and new mixed-use developments, signal a forward-moving vision. As Siry puts it, “we need to change and adapt to keep growing,” ensuring Amityville balances small-town charm with modern progress.

The Heart of Amityville: Community and Culture

Amityville’s identity is deeply rooted in its maritime traditions and tight-knit community. Siry describes it as “a very nautical type village” with a long history of sailing, boating, and duck hunting, where outdoor living and cultural arts thrive side by side. “We definitely have a lot of people that are into the music and cultural arts around here,” he says, pointing to local venues like the Amityville Music Hall and The Warehouse as pillars of the vibrant scene.

The village’s interconnectedness shines brightest in times of adversity. “In times of need, like Superstorm Sandy, and any type of events that we’ve had like that, the community just comes together as one,” Siry explains. This closeness is woven into daily life, where, as the mayor jokes, “you have to be careful who you’re talking to because they’re probably related to somebody you’re talking about.” Whether through shared traditions or collective resilience, Amityville’s culture remains its greatest asset.

Downtown Revitalization and Economic Growth

Amityville’s downtown is undergoing a transformation, fueled by a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant from New York State with a focus on creating a more walkable and vibrant core. “We’re working on traffic calming as our overall thing,” says Siry, noting the need for a “road diet” along the state highway that cuts through downtown. Collaborating with the NYS Department of Transportation, the village aims to improve pedestrian safety while attracting new businesses like Mercedes/Mesita (not sure spelling of this one, hard to understand), a high-end Mexican restaurant that recently held its grand opening.

While the village itself can’t offer tax rebates, it partners with the Town of Babylon’s Industrial Development Agency (IDA) to provide incentives. “The IDA helps out businesses that are coming in, we work with the IDA to give them the tax incentives, they’re the ones that can offer it,” Siry explains. The village instead focuses on removing bureaucratic hurdles, like fast-tracking outdoor dining permits during COVID, to support entrepreneurs. “We love to work with the businesses, I say it at every chamber meeting, I think the best thing you can do for a village is to have a good relationship with the chamber,” he adds.

Mixed-use developments are key to this growth. A former movie theater now houses a ground-floor restaurant with 33 apartments above, blending commerce and residential living. This “feet on the street” approach, initially met with resistance from long-time residents, has proven essential. “Years ago when I was on the zoning board, I would be against it,” Siry admits. “But now realizing you need the people in here to bring the businesses like the chicken and the egg.” The shift is working, “once we started talking about bringing in development, we started getting a lot of people coming in here, restaurants wanting to come here, stores wanting to come here. You’re not getting one without the other.”

The Chamber of Commerce amplifies these efforts through events like the July 3rd celebration, which Maureen Pecorella, Chamber President, calls “one of the best days for downtown businesses.” Seasonal draws like October’s Haunted Harvest further boost foot traffic. “We have a very good relationship with the village,” Pecorella notes. “If you own a business in Amityville, you’re going to feel supported, whether it’s through the chamber or through the village, and I think that’s like a priceless thing.” This public-private partnership, combined with infrastructure upgrades and community-focused events, positions Amityville’s downtown for lasting revitalization.

Addressing Housing and Affordability

Like much of Long Island, Amityville faces the dual challenges of rising housing costs and limited inventory. “The affordability part is definitely a big thing on Long Island, everywhere on Long Island,” acknowledges Siry. The village’s approach focuses on increasing supply to meet demand, with recent developments including a 119-unit complex and a larger 339-unit project, both incorporating some affordable units.

While these units may not represent traditional “affordable housing,” they reflect the village’s strategy to ease pricing pressures through increased availability. “The philosophy on Long Island is that if we have housing, it will help bring the pricing down because of the supply and demand part of it,” explains Siry.

Looking ahead, Amityville is embracing mixed-use development as a sustainable growth model. “We definitely encourage mixed-use,” says Siry, noting these projects create vibrant, walkable neighborhoods while addressing housing needs. As the village balances growth with community character, its housing strategy remains focused on practical solutions to a regional challenge.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

Amityville’s infrastructure provides a solid foundation for growth, with reliable utilities and strategic transit links. The village connects to the Southwest Sewage District, ensuring modern wastewater management, while updated water mains from the county water authority support current and future development. “We’re all ready for any growth,” says Siry, noting these systems can handle expanded capacity.

Connectivity remains a key asset, with the Long Island Railroad station offering direct access to Manhattan and Route 110 serving as a vital north-south corridor. Plans for rapid bus transit along this route promise enhanced mobility. “We are like a perfect little intersection right here,” notes Siry. The village is also focused on improving wayfinding, with an RFP out for branding to boost visibility.

A creative proposal under discussion, a local “hopper pass” for train travel between nearby villages like Babylon, could further stimulate commerce. “That would help out bringing people…letting people have that different option,” Siry explains, envisioning easier access to Amityville’s restaurants and music venues. These investments position the village as both a destination and a well-connected hub.

Workforce Development and Partnerships

Amityville is bridging the gap between education and employment through innovative school-business partnerships. The village provides summer jobs with the Department of Public Works, while local students gain real-world experience, from photography at ribbon-cuttings to art projects decorating storefronts. “We reached out to the school to see if they had a student photographer,” says Pecorella, highlighting these collaborative efforts, “we don’t have a contract with them, but we definitely still partner with them.”

The Chamber plays a key role in supporting both businesses and the community. Beyond connecting entrepreneurs with grants, initiatives like Earth Day cleanups foster civic engagement. “We partner a lot with the village,” Pecorella notes, underscoring how these alliances strengthen Amityville’s workforce and quality of life.

Leadership Through Adaptability

Amityville’s leadership has clear priorities for the next two years, anchored in infrastructure, fiscal health, and cultural growth. Siry emphasizes completing the downtown traffic-calming project, noting, “by the time we get through with it, it’s going to be a two-year thing.” The village also aims to sustain its hard-won fiscal stability while fostering arts and community. “I’d love to have a larger cultural art center in the village,” Siry adds, though he acknowledges the challenge of finding the right space. Together, these goals reflect a balance of pragmatic investment and community vibrancy.

Critical to this progress is the Chamber of Commerce under Pecorella. “With Maureen as the president of the chamber right now, I can see a growth in it already,” Siry affirms. “She’s been doing a great job… It’s good to have her now without doubt.”

The Chamber plans to continue focusing on growing membership and community initiatives. “Another thing would be to make sure that the businesses are educated on available grants that they can apply for, and besides supporting our businesses, I want to find ways to also support the community,” she says, aligning business growth with civic investment.

At the core of Amityville’s vision is leadership that values adaptability and shared wisdom. “I like to learn from other people’s mistakes,” says Siry, reflecting on lessons from his 16 years in office. “If you don’t take that and learn from their mistakes, you’re going to make your own. So let them make it for you.” This philosophy, applied to collaborations with the Chamber, state agencies, and developers, informs the village’s balanced approach.

As Siry adds, “every second is a learning experience… If you think you know it all, that’s a shame.” It’s this mindset that allows Amityville to honor its heritage while embracing necessary change.

Steering Toward a Balanced Future

Amityville stands as a compelling model of how communities can evolve while preserving their essence. From its maritime roots to its thriving arts scene, the village maintains its identity as “the Friendly Bay Village” even as it embraces new development, transit improvements, and housing solutions.

What sets Amityville apart is its culture of collaboration. As Mayor Siry’s partnership with the Chamber of Commerce demonstrates, the village thrives when government, businesses, and residents work together.

Looking ahead, Amityville’s balanced approach positions it as a blueprint for other municipalities. With leaders who view every challenge as a learning opportunity and every success as a collective achievement, Amityville isn’t just preparing for the future, it’s shaping it.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Village of Amityville, NY

What: A bayside community blending maritime culture, vibrant arts, and strategic development

Where: Suffolk County, Long Island, NY

Website: www.amityville.com