OPINION: Seeking Solutions to Vacant Storefronts in Port Washington

Why stakeholders should work together for a remedy.

Vacant store fronts do not look good and do little to attract new businesses everyone would agree on this but what I found people do not agree on is what to do about the matter.   From the responses to this topic I see a lot of people placing the blame, but never do I see anyone come up with a plan to possibly remedy the problem. Stop blaming the president or other politicians. Look at what can be done to re-fill the vacant stores and bring more revenue to Port Washington.   Where is the voice of the rental agents and landlords who might be more flexible in order to make a rental or entice a business to fill a vacant store? What type of business does Port Washington lack and does it make sense to shop local or go to other towns?  …

•  33 Comments
• Photos (1)

James Salerno

7:25 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

Hi Linda, I understand your concerns about the metered parking in town. For the last several years, the Town of North Hempstead has enforced the meter violations. Very few meter violations are issued by the PWPD. I would suggest you contact Councilwoman Dina DeGiorgio, or feel free to contact me at the number below. Jim Salerno Asst. Chief PWPD 883 0500 x 309   more ›

Crosswalk To Be Installed In Front of Dolphin Apartments

Residents of the apartment complex echoed the need for a crosswalk.

There will be stop signs put into the southbound and northbound corners of Main Street/North Plandome Road where they intersect with Fifth Avenue iin front of the Dolphin apartments. A handful of residents of the complex explained during Wednesday night's Town of North Hempstead meeting that it is difficult for the elderly, disabled and children to cross this intersection. They also noted that many people seem to speed through this area. A police officer and resident of the Dolphin said he estimated that people drive at speeds up to 70 miles per hour in the area. In addition to the stop signs, there will also be measures taken to make better sight distance for people exiting the apartment complex's parking lot now that there will be stop …

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)

Public Comment Sought for 'New Main Street' Plan in Port Washington

Feedback wanted on a proposed 'model blocks' program.

The Port Washington community now has the chance to weigh in on a "model blocks" program, a proposed plan for a "new Main Street" that extends from Port Washington Boulevard to Haven Avenue. The plan was presented on Thursday, Nov. 17, by Residents for A More Beautiful Port Washington at the Port Washington Public Library.  "Main Street is old and outdated and it's clear that whatever planning was done 60 years ago is just not working anymore," Dan Donatelli, co-president of Residents for A More Beautiful Port Washington, told the audience.  The proposal is just for four blocks,"because we think it's prudent to move slowly and carefully," he said. "If it works, we can always expand it later on." Representatives from the Town of North …

•  30 Comments
• Photos (9)
• Videos (1)

Question of The Day: Local Shops

What kind of shop does Port Washington really need?

What one business would you like to see come to town? Do we have too many of one kind of business and should we work to attract a more diversified business community?

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Starbucks on Main Street Gets A Facelift

Starbucks is under renovation, but the doors are mostly open.

Starbucks on Main Street is getting a cosmetic update: new flooring, wall units, lighting and other enhancements – but no structural changes, according to management. The shop will most likely close early on Friday. As the renovations continue, so check the establishment's front door for posting of future closings.

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Memorial Day Parade Brings Music to Main Street

Memorial Day in Port Washington

This year’s Grand Marshals are James Kenny from American Legion Post 509 and Leonard Wurzel from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1819.

• Videos (1)

New Cupcake Bakery Opens on Main Street

“Get Baked” serves more than just cupcakes.

Those of us who live in Port Washington are extremely fortunate to have a number of top-notch bakeries in town. On Monday, March 14, a new one joined their ranks. Get Baked, located at 16 Main Street, right by Frank’s Pizzeria, specializes in cupcakes, and the array is dazzling. A large board describes the flavors (I counted at least 20), which include Spiced Vanilla, Red Velvet, Samoa, Peanut Butter and Banana, Vanilla and Oreo, and Roman Apple (described as “Roman apple pie cake with buttercream and toasted crumbs.” The cupcakes are located in a large display facing the front window. Cupcakes cost $4.25 each, or 4 for $16. If you buy a dozen, the price drops to $3.83 per cupcake. Each cupcake is easily large enough to share with a friend…

•  25 Comments
• Photos (14)

Daily PatchCast

PatchCast: Protest, Golden Gloves, Parking Garage

A roundup of the region's major developments for Wednesday, March 16.

Follow these links for more on today's featured stories:

•  1 Comment
• Videos (1)

Rob Germino

6:15 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011

If it walks like a socialist and it talks like a socialist, then it must be the Long Island Progressive Coalition. From its website: "The LIPC was born at the initiation of the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (since become Democratic Socialists of America) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, seeking to realize DSOC Chair Michael Harrington's vision of …   more ›

Daily PatchCast

PatchCast: Hazmat Units Respond, Superintendent Named, Store Closing

A roundup of the region's major developments for Tuesday, March 1.

Follow these links for today's featured stories: 

• Videos (1)

Main Street Merchants Consider A Spring Port Night Out

New initiatives for the warm weather.

The Re-Imagining Main Street Committee of Port Washington met with Main Street merchants in an open forum at the Port Washington Public Libraryto evaluate December's Port Night Out. Next on the agenda is a plan for a similar event in the springtime. Merchants gave their feedback on Port Night Out, and discussed ideas to improve the event and its marketing. According to Mindy Germain, executive director of Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, Port Night Out was held to "create a vibrancy on Main Street." "How do you turn a few blocks into a destination? We showed all the merchants different things going on around the country and together we brainstormed the idea for Port Night Out," Germain said. Port Night Out was held on two …

• Photos (4)