Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has announced an historic partnership between the County and Town of Huntington to expand sewers into Huntington Station. Both the County and the Town will invest $22 million to fund the Huntington Station Hub Sewer Project, the first project funded under the County’s newly created Wastewater Infrastructure Fund.
“For far too long, our region’s outdated infrastructure has slowed growth and development, with the lack of sewers being a primary driver,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “This is an historic partnership where both the Town and the County have come together and will be utilizing American Rescue Plan funds to push this much needed project forward, which will boost the local economy, create jobs, and allow for the continued revitalization of blighted areas.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: “I fought hard to deliver over $1 billion in COVID relief to county, town, and village governments across Long Island, and I’m so glad that County Executive Bellone and Town of Huntington and are using some of this aid to make long-sought investments in sewer infrastructure that will help Huntington build back better. Upgrading sewer infrastructure is key to improving Long Island’s environment, protecting public health, fostering sustainable growth, and spurring economic development.”
Huntington Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci said: "I thank County Executive Steve Bellone, the Suffolk County Legislature and my Town Board colleagues for our shared bi-partisan vision to invest our respective American Rescue Plan Act funds in a renewed Route 110 Corridor. It is very satisfying to have, as one of my last acts as Supervisor, allocated this funding for sewers in downtown Huntington Station on the south side of the train tracks, something that will spur economic investment and produce tangible results in the revitalization of my hometown--one of the key goals of my administration--in the years to come."
The lack of sewers in Huntington Station has long been an obstacle to revitalization efforts by both the County and the Town. This expansion will allow downtown Huntington Station to continue to evolve as a major economic center of Long Island. The sewer improvements will promote mixed-use development and provide the possibility to expand existing businesses, allow new businesses to move in and allow for the redevelopment of vacant parcels.
The Huntington Station Hub Sewer Project plans for installation and connection to sewers for both residential and commercial properties within the Huntington Hub. The project will connect approximately 229 parcels in the vicinity of the Huntington Railroad Station and south along NYS Route 110 corridor. Additionally, the sewers would also serve several commercial blocks of Depot Road and industrial land along the LIRR tracks.
Earlier this month, the Town of Huntington allocated $22 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Huntington Station Hub Sewer Project. The town will transfer $22,209,010 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds, its entire share of ARPA funds, to Suffolk County for the construction of the project.
As part of the 2022 Operating Budget, County Executive Bellone created the Wastewater Infrastructure Fund, which includes $125 million in new funding to significantly advance the County’s historic Reclaim Our Water Initiative. The program is designed to stop and reverse nitrogen pollution by eliminating old cesspools and septic systems through sewer connections and the installation of Innovative Alternative.
Suffolk County is partnering with the town of Huntington in their revitalization efforts of downtown Huntington Station, providing planning and design services of various infrastructure improvements. The Huntington Station LIRR stop is a vital east-west transportation connection and a study to examine implementing a bus rapid transit (BRT) line is currently underway. These efforts are part of the Connect Long Island economic development initiative and is intended to improve the economic future of Huntington Station.
Huntington Station, home to a diverse population, was once a thriving downtown that was displaced in the 1960s due to an Urban Renewal project. In the decades since, there have been unfulfilled promises to restore the downtown. Fortunately, in the last several years, through collaborative efforts of the public and private sectors, as well as the community- Huntington Station has seen tangible progress. Expanding the sewer infrastructure southbound, will build on the progress made and capitalize on the area’s existing assets such as the train station and access to major highways.
Suffolk County Presiding Officer Rob Calarco said: “Expanding sewers is one of the most important actions we can take to improve our economy and our environment. This partnership between the County and the Town of Huntington will ensure that Huntington Station will be able to grow smartly while protecting its water quality. I am pleased to see this step being taken, and hopeful for future intergovernmental partnerships like this one to continue this necessary work.”
Suffolk County Majority Leader Susan A. Berland said: "Expanding our sewer districts is critical for protecting our surface and groundwater here in Suffolk County. This partnership between Suffolk County and the Town of Huntington to expand sewers into Huntington Station will secure the economic and environmental future of Huntington and Suffolk County residents and I am happy to have played a role in this project."
Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly said: “The innovative Huntington Station sewer expansion project supports and protects the environment, fosters development and will drive economic growth, thereby enabling the entire community to thrive. I am delighted to support this historic partnership between the Town of Huntington and Suffolk County that makes it all possible and I look forward to continuing to advocate and support it.”
Frank Cosentino, President, Huntington Station Business Improvement District said: “Well, the theme of the Huntington Station Business Improvement District this year is “Moving Forward Together.” This news is a welcome step to helping our district to continue to grow and recapture the beautiful downtown area it once was. We who love the station and know the value of this community look forward to this major improvement.”
John D. Cameron, Jr., P.E., Chairman, Long Island Regional Planning Council said: “The Long Island Regional Planning Council salutes County Executive Bellone and Supervisor Lupinacci in forging this historic partnership in addressing on a local level a regional problem which threatens the health and environment of the Huntington Station community. This financial partnership provides the capital necessary to permit much needed economic development to grow our commercial tax base. Partnerships such as this lay the framework for addressing the challenges our region faces and offers a model for other public entities to follow.”
Mitchell H. Pally, Chief Executive Officer, Long Island Builders Institute said: “The cooperation of both Suffolk County and the Town of Huntington to provide the funds necessary for the expansion of a sewer system in Huntington Station is a very significant achievement for all of us who live and work in the county. The new system will now allow this portion of the county to enjoy both the environmental and economic benefits which are currently enjoyed in many other areas of the county but have not been able to be provided in Huntington Station because of the lack of such a system. It is a great day for our county and we congratulate everyone who played a role in making it happen, from our local community residents to our local businesses to our stakeholder organizations to our elected officials.”