Listen to this articleState and local elected officials joined business and civic leaders Tuesday to mark the completion of a $13.7 million sewer project in Central Islip.
The infrastructure project along Carleton Avenue, which received $2 million from New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative funds, is aimed at supporting mixed-use development around the Central Islip Long Island Rail Road station, including “housing, small businesses, cultural attractions, walkable streetscapes and public amenities,” according to a statement from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
Central Islip was awarded the state’s $10 million DRI grant in August 2018.
“New York’s downtowns are the life blood of our state, and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative helps our communities transform into even better places to live and work,” Hochul said in the statement. “This new sewer line will unlock a host of opportunities for Central Islip, creating more housing for residents and driving economic revitalization for businesses and local communities.”
The Carleton Avenue project, which began in August 2023, included the installation of about 4,500 feet of new sewer line with an average flow of 277,000 gallons per day, allowing denser and increased development of properties that were previously served only by septic systems.
“Sewer infrastructure might not sound exciting on the surface, but it is the key to unlocking increased development and downtown vibrancy here in Central Islip and throughout Suffolk County,” Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley, said in the statement. “This essential project brings the community one step closer to realizing the vision outlined in their Downtown Revitalization Initiative plan.”
Besides the $2 million from the DRI, funding for the sewer project included $7.2 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce, $1 million from the Town of Islip Industrial Development Agency, $1.8 million from Suffolk County and $1.7 million from the Town of Islip.
“Wastewater infrastructure is the most pressing need we have to protect our environment and help grow the economy,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said in the statement. “I thank Gov. Hochul and our federal representatives for their support of this project.”
Other projects supported through Central Islip’s DRI award include pedestrian enhancements along Carleton Avenue to improve pedestrian safety; transforming the former LIRR site into a mixed-use, transit-oriented project, including affordable and market-rate housing, retail, cultural facility and public plaza; developing a mixed-use building at a visible corner of the Carleton Avenue corridor, including multi-generational housing, commercial space and parking; creating a 5-mile Central Islip walking and biking History Trail, with interpretive signage and marketing; and a fund administered by the Town of Islip Community Development Agency to rehabilitate and improve buildings along the downtown corridor to attract new businesses, activities, customers and visitors.
Officials said the sewer project was one of the lynchpins of the area’s downtown reboot.
“The completion of the Carleton Avenue sewer extension represents what’s possible when every level of government works together with the community,” Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said in the statement. “This transformational project not only modernizes our infrastructure but unlocks Central Islip’s potential for smart, sustainable growth while protecting our environment. We are proud to deliver this essential upgrade to the community.”