result of thoughtful leadership and collaborative vision. Lavorata and Village Clerk Katie Schrader have helped lead the charge, working closely with a proactive team to produce a revitalization strategy that includes event programming, walkability enhancements, and a renewed sense of pride. As Lavorata reflects,“the result has been a very vibrant downtown, the likes of which the people who’ve lived here for years haven’t even seen.” The village’s progress reflects a thoughtful approach to governance, one that blends revitalization efforts, business growth, and civic partnerships into a powerful blueprint for success. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION: FROM DECLINE TO DESTINATION A decade ago, Lindenhurst’s downtown told a different story, one marked by vacancy and disrepair. “Downtown really had a lot of dive bars and vacant storefronts,” says Schrader. “It was just a disaster,” Lavorata adds, referring to the state of some of the businesses at the time. The area lacked familyfriendly appeal and was in steady decline. The village leadership faced a pivotal choice, continue managing deterioration or take bold action.“We can either manage the decline of our downtown or do something creative,” recalls Lavorata, quoting former Deputy Mayor and current County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey. That decision sparked the development of a downtown master plan and a comprehensive walkability study, cornerstones of Lindenhurst’s revitalization strategy. The transformation is tangible. At the heart of downtown, Village Square Park has become a lively gathering place. “We hold concerts and a lot of events,” says Lavorata. “We have our Christmas tree lighting there…on New Year’s Eve we drop a ball from a fire department ladder truck, much like they do in New York City.” Seasonal street fairs like “Wednesdays on Wellwood” bring merchants and residents together, with outdoor food service, live music, and kids’ attractions. “It’s a family-friendly downtown, something that was definitely not 10 years ago,” he says. 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 LINDENHURST, NY
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