Tom Forster has a dream: bike paths. This Copiague resident attended the Town's recent Vision Day where community members shared their hopes, complaints and dreams to improve the downtown area in Copiague. The day — hosted at Copiague Middle School —was sponsored by the Town of Babylon, planning groups RBA Group and Sustainable Long Island and the Downtown Copiague Implementation Committee.

"This year, I bought a bike— a blue and white Raleigh Retroglide," said resident Tom Forster, 56, an artist. "One of the things that I want is bike paths. I love biking: it's good exercise and it gets me where I need to go." He already has a basket for groceries and a trailer to tote his grandson. All he needs now are bike paths.

"This was a visioning process," said Vanessa Pugh, director of Babylon's office of downtown revitalization, planning and development. "We asked people who live, work and play here, to think forward about what the future of downtown Copiague should be."

About 100 people came to share their dreams for Copiague that day. After taking a walking tour into the heart of downtown Copiague, residents and community leaders were invited to brainstorm and map out ideas for the Town. Some people wanted to see downtown beautification, others wanted better sidewalks and crosswalks and still others desired different kinds of businesses including new restaurants. People also noted the Town's strengths: Tanner Park, good schools and close proximity to water.

In photos, areas in Copiague undergoing improvement

The RBA Group — an engineering, planning, design and architectural firm — will analyze the data collected from Vision Day and present their plans to Copiague residents at an open meeting on Wednesday, December 3 at 7 pm at Copiague Middle School.

The visioning process — which has included about 300 people — also included other public workshops in September and October. The entire process was made possible by a NY State Quality Communities Grant of $50,000. This grant was matched by the Town, with non-cash donations of staffing and other free services.

This is part of an ongoing effort in the Town of Babylon, explained Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone. In 2003, the own created an office of downtown revitalization. "We hope to reverse decades

decades of bad planning to create the kind of downtown that is good for the communi ty, will raise property values and create an invi t ing and friendly environment," said Supervisor Bellone. In the past, the town and its partners have r e furbi she d the Copiague train station,

installed light fixtures, decorative receptacles and planters and created Gateway Park, a welcoming ent r anc eway to the community, which Bellone says, they plan to expand.

 

In regards to money, Be l lone hope s tha t inve s tment s by the Town, state and federal government will be surpassed by the private sector. Recently, a three-story commercial apartment building was erected on 1700 Great Neck Road, near the train station. "A building like that can anchor a downtown," said Bellone, praising the development.

"It is not government's role to redevelop," said Bellone, "but to set the conditions right so marketplaces can come in and work their magic. And that is the beauty of a capitalistic system."

After the success of Vision Day, Bellone said he is optimistic now that there is a plan in place. "Now, we have an overall vision in Copiague," he said.

"All this will not happen tomorrow but it is a right step towards the future for my kids and grandkids," said resident Tara Yackel, 40, a resident. Yackel already loves Copiague because of its uniqueness. Copiague is a town that you can just as easily pick up a snack at Kobano's Polish Deli or Amigo Grocery store. "I love the diversity in Copiague," said Yackel, 40. "The people in Copiague rock."