Suozzi Commends Village of Freeport for Revitalization Efforts

For immediate release:  May 6, 2005

(FREEPORT, N.Y.) – As part of Nassau County’s designation of the month of May as “Community Development Block Grant Month”, County Executive Thomas Suozzi, along with Freeport Mayor William Glacken, U.S. Representative Carolyn McCarthy and Deputy County Executive Patrick Duggan, unveiled the new Live/Work Freeport Mews Project in Downtown Freeport.  The property, acquired with Community Development Block Grant funds, contains 16 live-work studio spaces for artists and other professionals in downtown Freeport. 

“We want to show residents, and our representatives in Washington, that Community Development Block Grants are a key to facilitating revitalization projects in downtowns that formerly were deteriorating both economically and aesthetically”, said Suozzi.  “I commend Mayor Glacken and the Village of Freeport for there efforts in pursuing culturally enriching projects such as this” lauded Suozzi.  Addressing the President’s desire to eliminate the program, the County Executive made clear his support for the CDBG program, “It is important to Nassau County and its numerous towns and villages that funding for the CDBG program remain strong.”

"This beautiful new building is a testament to economic opportunity, new jobs, and a better quality of life for people in Freeport and throughout Long Island. Projects such as the Mews Live/Work Freeport Mews Project are reason enough for me to continue to fight to fully fund the Community Development Block Grant Program," said Representative Carolyn McCarthy.

Mayor William Glacken is optimistic this project will be a success, “I am confident this project will be a catalyst for further revitalization projects in Freeport’s downtown community.”  The Freeport Community Development Agency (CDA) spearheaded the financing and construction efforts for the project by leveraging funds from Nassau County Office of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs (OHIA), Empire State Development Corporation and Time Equities Inc.

Nassau County OHIA administers Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds for all municipalities located in Nassau County. CDBG funds are used for economic development, public services, public improvements and housing rehabilitation projects in communities throughout the United States. This year, Nassau County has received $17.5 million in CDBG funds from HUD, a reduction of nearly $1 million from 2004.  The program has recently come under attack from the President and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), citing a lack of performance measures being collected by local administers of the program. 

As part of “CDBG Month”, Nassau County will also be highlighting projects in East Rockaway and Westbury, both of which were partially financed with CDBG funds.