10th Smart Growth Summit

The 10th annual Smart Growth Summit will take place on November 18, 2011 at the Melville Marriott from 8am-4pm, with the theme “Crisis and Opportunity: Placemaking in a Time of Economic Uncertainty.” Each year, this event brings together a diverse cross section of Long Island elected officials, chambers of commerce, civic leaders, developers, planners, environmentalists and concerned citizens to discuss and find solutions for the region’s most pressing land use and infrastructure issues.

Over 1000 people are expected to attend this year’s event. The Summit is a timely reminder that in this poor economic climate, Long Island must address the need for local, pedestrian friendly “Smart Growth” initiatives to serve as near term and long-term economic generators for our community. 

The Summit’s featured luncheon speakers include United States Senator Charles E. Schumer; John Norquist, President of the Congress for the New Urbanism and former mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano; and Suffolk County Executive-elect Steve Bellone.

Over the past three decades in public service, U.S. Senator “Chuck” Schumer has built a reputation as a leader in finding common-sense solutions to national issues and as a tireless fighter for New York. John Norquist's work promoting New Urbanism as an alternative and antidote to sprawl's social and environmental problems draws on his experience as big-city mayor and prominent participant in national discussions on urban design and school reform. 

County Executive Mangano has worked to promote revitalization at the Nassau HUB as well as a casino at Belmont racetrack. Town of Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone was recently elected County Executive, and has been recognized for his Wyandanch Rising initiative and LI Green Homes program.

The Smart Growth Summit begins with a breakfast and morning plenary session called “State of the Towns and Villages” The implementation of Smart Growth for Long Island ultimately comes down to our Town and Village officials, a dozen of whom will give local updates through this panel.

Panelists this year will include Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Town of East Hampton Deputy Supervisor Theresa Quigley, Town of Islip Councilman Steve Flotteron, Town of Riverhead Councilman Jim Wooten, Town of Hempstead Councilman Ed Ambrosino, Town of Huntington Councilwoman Susan Berland, Village of Hempstead Mayor Wayne Hall, Village of Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro, Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender, and Nassau County Village Officials Association Executive Director Warren Tackenberg.

Other elected officials who will be speaking on panels throughout the day include NYS Senator Charles Fuschillo, NYS Senator Jack Martins, Nassau County Legislator Wayne Wink, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Connie Kepert and City of Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi.

Workshops include: State of the Town and Villages; Developing New Town Centers, Regionalism vs. Localism; Nassau Hub: What Happened & What’s Next?; Transportation: Federal, State, Local Initiatives; Downtown Revitalization: Strategies for NYS & LI; Youth Vision for Long Island’s Future; Complete Streets; Financing Smart Growth; Energy and Smart Growth; Transit Oriented Development: What is Working & Where?; Helping Small Businesses Thrive; Housing in a Changing Market; Components of Great Places: Food, Arts, Music, & Destinations; Beyond NIMBY: The Community as a Partner; and Priority Infrastructure.

The Summit also features the 4th Annual Youth Summit and Charrette for LI colleges and high school students.

A full reporting of the day’s events will be available on Vision Long Island’s Facebook page throughout the day. Check www.visionlongisland.org or Vision’s iphone application for schedule and event details.