The Town of Oyster Bay was awarded a $10 million grant for downtown Hicksville from New York State through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Program, whose goal is to transform downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. These compact, walkable downtowns are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.

Through a comprehensive planning effort, the Hicksville Downtown Revitalization Initiative outlined projects to be financed through the grant which would create open space, reduce traffic impacts, and promote walkability in the project area. The scope of work includes Festival Plaza, New Station Plaza, and The Underline.

Festival Plaza: Conversion of the southern half of the Town parking lot between Newbridge Road and Jerusalem Avenue, adjacent to the Underline, to be converted into a raised walking path surrounded by landscaping and seating areas.

New Station Plaza: Conversion of the existing parking lot at the south end of the existing JFK Memorial Park into greenspace that would connect to the Festival Plaza and Underline projects, bringing a sense of place to the downtown.

The Underline: Rehabilitation of the area under the Long Island Railroad train trestle between Newbridge Road and Broadway, to brighten the area and allow for pop-up shops and outdoor cafes. This would include lighting under the trestle for pedestrian safety. This area will allow for direct access from the future development of 99 Station Plaza mixed-use development.

Design services to be performed will include the development of preliminary design concepts for review and approval of the Town. Upon given final direction of the Town on the concept to be advanced, prepare final contract documents in preparation of bid.