Municipal Lot Completed In Downtown Kings Park

KINGS PARK, NY — The recently-completed Pulaski Road Municipal Parking Lot in Kings Park was commemorated by state and Town of Smithtown officials, County Executive Steve Bellone, Kings Park community leaders and Vision Long Island. The project was funded through a Jumpstart grant awarded a little over one year ago, according to a news release.

The municipal lot holds 23 spaces, an electric vehicle charging station with two spaces for electric vehicles, and state-of-the-art LED cost-efficient lighting. The lot is surrounded by ornate fencing and is fully landscaped with evergreens, as well as arborvitaes which provide additional privacy for the surrounding residential neighborhood.

The new municipal lot is intended to help nearby businesses such as Relish, Park Bake Shop, Shipping Center, The Reel Kitchen, and Dragon House.

"This is a great success story right here," Bellone said via release. "When you look at the amount of time that this took, to get from the signing at the Park Bake Shop to cutting a ribbon on the opening of this lot, it’s absolutely incredible ... As we battle through this pandemic, we see not only individuals suffer, and families in crisis, but small businesses suffering. While we continue to do everything we can to help small businesses survive this existential crisis, we must also help them to get back to thriving … and that is what this project represents. And that’s what Jumpstart represents. It’s the County saying, when a town like Smithtown has the vision and has the expertise, and is leading the way, we’re going to be there to back them. That’s exactly what they did on this project. It’s why we’re here cutting a ribbon a year later. And that’s what we’re going to continue to do. Because this is our economy. This is our future."

Bellone on Oct. 3, 2019, signed a bill awarding the Town of Smithtown $500,000 in "Jumpstart" funding to build the lot in downtown Kings Park. The project is on Pulaski Road and just off Main Street. The development, which began in March, was spearheaded by the Town's planning, engineering, highway, parks & grounds and traffic safety departments. The initial sale of the land was secured by contract through the Town Attorney’s office.

Officials gathered together a little over one year ago to sign the bill that awarded the town $500,000, Supervisor Edward Wehrheim recalled.

"And here we are today in what can only be described as record breaking results for the community, because of great team work and talent," he said. "This comes at a crucial time when many restaurants have used portions of their parking lots to expand outdoor dining. This project also creates a more pedestrian friendly downtown that supports walkability, increases foot traffic to local businesses and decreases traffic congestion. Most importantly, it’s what the community has asked for, and we’re pleased to deliver it."

Suffolk County’s Jumpstart Program is part of a comprehensive economic development plan designed to encourage, foster, and enhance the planning and development of regionally significant developments in and around Suffolk’s downtown areas. Suffolk County has awarded $14.375 million in Jumpstart funding since 2013.

In 2016, the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association commissioned Vision Long Island to conduct a series of public scoping meetings to create a Revitalization Action Plan for the community. Shortly after, a Downtown Market Analysis and Action Plan was completed by Larisa Ortiz Associates in 2017. The data determined that the businesses along "Restaurant Row" were suffering due to a lack of sufficient parking. The lot is also meant to aid in the leasing of vacant shops, as the lack of parking has prevented small business owners from choosing Kings Park as its home.

"Everyone here worked together to get this done," Eric Alexander of Vision Long Island said. "This is the right way to do it. During our vision process two years ago, everyone said we need this. And it got done. Because you had multiple levels of government that listened and worked together with the community. This is a great example for all of Long Island, and it will help towards revitalization once this pandemic is long gone."

Tony Tanzi of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce also recognized the local T-Mobile team for funding the decorating of the lot, along with all of downtown Kings Park, for the holiday season. T-Mobile also covered the annual dues for the Chamber's membership. Tanzi also thanked Bellone and the Smithtown town board.