Community voices visions for North Bellport

North Bellport residents voiced their ideas for development on June 20 at the first public workshop for the Brookhaven-North Bellport NY Forward program. With affordability looming over all discussions, most attendees talked about improving road conditions, beautifying the hamlet, and keeping businesses alive once established.

The forum was the first public workshop where residents could meet the NY-Forward team, which includes members of the New York Department of State, lead consulting firm BFJ Planning, and the Local Planning Committee (LPC)—a group of local business owners and community leaders who will review project proposals.

State consultants gave an overview of the program, and heard from residents about the need to recognize the hamlet’s diversity and include residents of all races and backgrounds when reaching out and deciding on projects.

Residents then broke into roundtables, agreeing on improving road conditions, especially on the corner of Station Road and Montauk Highway, an area where residents said too many car accidents occur. A lack of signage and lighting around the Bellport train station were other areas of concern regarding road safety.

Others envisioned North Bellport becoming a destination to explore and shop, rather than drive past, with a branding campaign making residents proud to live and work in the hamlet. One resident mentioned big stores in the back of exit 56 on Sunrise Highway waiting for customers, but then asking what North Bellport has.

Bringing in new businesses, like a grocery store or urgent care, along with senior and young-adult recreation centers that can host multicultural events, were among other priorities residents raised. But for businesses to thrive, residents called for increased sewage access along with business incubators that can provide training and monetary support for new establishments.

While the workshop packed the auditorium inside the Boys and Girls Club of the Bellport Area with curious residents, NY-Forward members urged for more community engagement and feedback as project applications open.

Resident Elijah Singletary attended the meeting after discussing his visions for the hamlet’s future with friend and LPC member, Dennis Nix. But Singletary noted the lack of dialogue about building a downtown among residents.

“We have to find a way to engage with the community more,” Singletary said.

Some recent outreach initiatives include an online visioning board where people can post their ideas for projects, and anyone can contact the project team through an online form.

For nearly two months, the LPC has been working with the state consultants to define goals and build a downtown profile, resulting in the program’s boundaries west to east from N. Dunton to Bellport avenues, and north to south from Brookhaven Avenue to Beaver Dam Road.

The LPC also launched an open call for projects until Aug. 8. Those interested can fill out a form and must fulfill the requirements, including the project’s description, location, outside funding sources, and property ownership.

There will be a virtual information session about the open call for projects on July 10 at 2 p.m., but interested attendees can also speak with the NY Forward team outside that hour. Another public workshop will be in September, but the NY Forward team encourages residents to reach out with questions over the summer.

After the open call period, the LPC will compile a list of project proposals and present them to the state, which will select the most promising projects and start breaking ground within a couple of years.

Links to all mentioned initiatives are on the Town of Brookhaven’s website under “Brookhaven-North Bellport NY Forward Program.”