With the first phase of Route 110 Redevelopment Corporation study complete, Suffolk County Legislator Maxine Postal (D-Amityville) has sponsored a procedural motion to have the county get involved and provide $50,000 in funding. Postal pointed out that the Town of Huntington has agreed to provide $100,000 in funding and in kind services. And, Babylon Councilman Wayne Horsely said the Town of Babylon has already provided $20,000 in funding and has also added in kind services to the kitty, which he said the town will continue to provide.

"The study focuses on inter-model transportation and development," Postal explained. "Phase one has come out (in June 2000) with some really good recommendations. And I thought it is a good time for the legislature to provide an additional $50,000."

Among recommendations of the study, which was conducted by the Long Island Regional Planning Board, is a multiple utility use project.

Horsely said such a plan could result in a so-called pipeline carrying electrical power and communication improvements involving such technical advances as fiber optics.

Postal pointed out that the growth along Route 110 has changed it into a major thoroughfare featuring numerous commercial enterprises and office buildings. "It’s a very important road that we should be looking at very carefully,’ she added. "Right now, it is becoming more and more difficult to navigate (given increased traffic), costing extra hours for trucking companies and residents alike." The study, she believes, could help alleviate some of those problems while adding to the overall tax base.

Postal, who is the legislature’s deputy presiding officer, explained that phase two of the study would continue along those lines and would include input from commercial organizations, local civic organizations and town government representatives from Huntington and Babylon. "Everyone would be playing a major role and we need to look at that," she said.

Horsely said "there is a lot happening as far as Route 110 is concerned." He noted that there have been proposals for two major hotels - one by Staybridge that would create a 120 room extended stay facility and one from Marriott Courtyard for a more conventional 120 room hotel, either of which would be built on Republic Airport property adjacent to Route 110. "In

addition, Polytechnic has been sorting through bids (on their property) and is now down to three (commercial) possibilities and one bid from an as yet

unnamed university," he said. "They are in the process of analyzing those bids. The town is also interested in those hotel proposals."

However, there are other possibilities involved. Horsely said he is looking into the formation of a Business Improvement District (BID) along the

110 corridor. He pointed out that although creating a BID is not a new idea, it would be different in this case because the BID would cross town lines,

something his research shows has not happened anywhere else. "We have found in studies of BIDs in Florida, California, Texas and New York that there have been no instances where a BID crossed town lines. The issue includes different tax rates from town to town. But if a BID were to be created it could mean a lot of money for the 110 Corridor. It would include transportation and communication issues as well.

"The point is," Horsely continued, "we have a prime example of good government with the two towns working together with the business and residential communities. If the county joins us, that’s another layer of good government involvement. And that could be a great thing."

There has been some criticism from area residents, however. Many local residents believe Route 110 is already too busy and that building hotels and inviting more business would hurt residents rather than help them. But town and county officials have pointed out the advantages in increasing the tax base and providing even more jobs within the two towns. In addition, Babylon officials have said in the past they are not looking to create a high-rise nightmare and that any construction would conform to established town codes.

Phase Two of the study is expected to begin shortly. Postal’s bill could come up for a vote this month.