WWW.AMITYVILLE.COM AMITYVILLE NEW YORK THE FRIENDLY BAY VILLAGE
THE FRIENDL VILLAGE AMITYVILLE, NY AT A GLANCE 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 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
LY BAY A BAYSIDE COMMUNITY CELEBRATING ITS NAUTICAL 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 music 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.” 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
Strategically positioned with a Long Island Railroad station and Route 110 transit corridor, Amityville offers seamless connectivity to Manhattan in just 60 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 rooted deeply in its nautical 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 Mesita, 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, and we work with the IDA to give them the tax incentives,” Siry explains. The village instead focuses on removing bureaucratic hurdles, like fasttracking outdoor dining permits during COVID, to support local businesses.“We love to work with the businesses, I think the best thing you can do for 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 AMITYVILLE, NY
have been against it,” Siry admits.“But now I realize you need the people in here to bring more businesses “The shift is working.“Once we started talking about bringing in development, we started getting a lot of interest from restaurants and stores --wanting to come here.You’re not getting one without the other.” The Chamber of Commerce amplifies these efforts through events such as the July 3rd celebration, which Maureen Pecorella, Chamber President, calls “one of 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 some long-time residents, has proven essential. “Years ago when I was on the Zoning Board, I might 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
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 a priceless thing.” This publicprivate 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 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 mixeduse 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 South West SewerDistrict, ensuring modern wastewater C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 AMITYVILLE, NY
Residential SMB Enterprise Government Scan to call Albion Ventures is a leading system integrator and technology company that provides innovative products and services as a Managed Service Provider (MSP). We are focused on meeting the connectivity needs of our customers and clients. Our multi-carrier SIM/e-SIM provides connectivity via a single SIM/e-SIM to multiple wireless carriers. We will seamlessly manage your carrier selection based on carrier network performance, providing redundancy and minimizing disruption. Our RES-Q and Mi-Fi products leverage our multi-carrier SIM/e-SIM. Our RES-Q solution provides 5G Fixed Wireless Access broadband to commercial and residential customers. This solution can be used as your primary internet service or as a backup broadband solution, ensuring you are always connected, even when your fiber or cable is down. Our Mi-Fi solution provides 5G services when you are on the go. Whether hiking or hanging out at the beach, you will have the necessary connectivity. Albion’s 15 years of experience make us the right partner for you. What makes up our DNA? Our people - experts and experience Our approach - the customer is the center of everything Our expertise and knowledge - decades of proven experience Our core values - trust, integrity, knowledge, excellence, respect, and value creation www.albionventuresllc.com +1 844 840 7283 RES-Q Mi-Fi UNLEASH YOUR CONNECTIVITY
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 northsouth corridor. Plans for enhanced 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 through its NYS Downtown Revitalization Grant , with a soon-to- be launched wayfinding,signage and branding effort. A creative proposal is under discussion for a local “hopper pass” for train travel between nearby villages like Babylon, which could further stimulate commerce. “That would help bring people out and give them different options,” 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 also gain real-world experience through the Chamber, performing photography at ribboncuttings to participating in art projects decorating storefronts. “We reached out to the school to see if they had a student photographer,” says Pecorella, highlighting these collaborative efforts. “While we don’t have a contract with them, we definitely still find ways to 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 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 AMITYVILLE, NY
SWEEPING THE COMPETITION WITH BEST OF CLASS SERVICES With 30 years of unparalleled experience and an unmatched dedication to its clients, Imperial Cleaning has cemented itself as one of the leading cleaning services in the country. Based in Amityville, New York, the company was established in 1995 with the mandate of providing the highest quality, custom cleaning services for both commercial and residential sectors. Born out of the combined aspirations of David Feldman and his partner, Jeffrey Krinick, Imperial Cleaning grew from an idea of providing first-tier services to clients across a broad spectrum of market segments to what is now a nationally recognized and respected cleaning company. By 2018, Imperial Cleaning had become a national provider of cleaning services in 41 states across the U.S. Imperial Cleaning expertly provides a broad range of services, including commercial cleaning, luxury retail cleaning, medical and surgical cleaning, floor cleaning, green cleaning, day or night cleaning, disinfection services, and porter services. With a customer retention rate that is five+ times the industry average, Imperial Cleaning always puts the customer first, delivering safe, green, reliable, and dependable janitorial services. Servicing clients with highly trained, experienced professionals who take pride in their work ensures that the job is done to meticulous standards. Our Services: Office Cleaning Surgical/Medical Cleaning Overnight Cleaning Retail Cleaning Porter Services Power Washing Floor Cleaning Ceiling Tile Cleaning Green Cleaning Commercial Cleaning Learn more at imperialcleaning.com
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, “it’s going to be a two-year project .” 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.” 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 elected positions.“If you don’t take that and learn from their mistakes, you’re going to make your own..”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 GRIFFSBARBERSHOP.SQUARE.SITE 631.532.5322 | GRIFFSBARBERSHOP5@GMAIL.COM 520 BROADWAY | AMITYVILLE, NEW YORK 11701 Step into Grii’s Barbershop where classic cuts meet modern style. Whether you’re after a fresh fade, a clean shave, or a full restyle, our expert barbers deliver precision and personality every time. Book your chair today and walk out feeling like your best self. a Statement Not Just a Cut 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 AMITYVILLE, NY
essence. From its nautical 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. LOCAL ADVERTISERS n Albion Ventures LLC www.albionventuresllc.com Albion Ventures is a leading system integrator and technology company. Albion has been serving clients across the US and Canada since 2008. Our products, platforms and services include: Managed POTS Replacement Solution, RES-Q (5G Fixed Wireless Access Solution), Albion Cloud Solution, Professional Services, Service Desk, Network Modernization and Strategy and Advisory. n Imperial Cleaning www.imperialcleaning.com Always providing a seamless client experience, Imperial Cleaning is an award winner of Best of LI (four of last 5 years) and named a Top Place to Work. To learn more, visit our website n Griff’s Barbershop www.griffsbarbershop.square.site 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
WWW.AMITYVILLE.COM WWW.BUSINESSVIEWMAGAZINE.COM AS FEATURED IN BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE Amityville NY
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx