If you’re reading this, you’re experiencing the newest news that the BID has to offer. After many years of planning and tweaking, the BID website is up and running. The web-site is a vehicle by which, we can not only communicate the latest BID and Patchogue Village news, but we can also market Patchogue to new business that may be interested in coming into the Village and help them get started. We are extremely exited about the opportunities and are happy that it is finally on line.

As we get through winter and look toward spring, much is happening within the Village of Patchogue. Construction abounds with 31 West Main Street being recently unveiled to show off its brand new façade. It looks beautiful and many upgrades have taken place inside the building as well. This of course is the first phase of the Tri-Tec development project to take place on that entire block of the “Four Corners”. The next big move will place the Carnegie Library building across Lake Street at the end of the Fire House parking lot. This building, having been opened in 1909, is rich in history and architectural appointments of the day. Grant monies have been secured to make this move happen, but, what an undertaking this is going to be. When this move is complete, work will begin on Havens Avenue and work its way back across Lake Street and down South Ocean Avenue to the old Swezeys property. The YMCA building is well underway between the Waverly Spur and West Main Street with completion anticipated late this year. Walgreen’s Drug store is nearing completion as well at Waverly Avenue and West Main Street. Boy, there’s a lot going on!

With all of this going on, I have yet to mention “Art Space”. Groundbreaking for this much anticipated project took place on January 22, 2010 and was well attended by not only Mayor Pontieri and our Village Trustees, but also by many State, County, Town and local officials. This project will add affordable housing for aspiring artists to live in and support our Village, as well as, an area and venue to display their work. What a great addition this will be to the Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Arts Council and various cultural events already present within our Village. Funding was put into place through various government grants with financing being provided by Capital One Bank. The date for completion of Art Space is December 2010.         

The BID hasn’t been sitting still either. We’re still working the NY State Main Street Grant that we received in late 2008. We’ve completed funding on a new sign for the front of the Patchogue-Medford Library and a new façade for the old Jay’s Fabric Store property on South Ocean Avenue. We’re presently considering applications for façade improvement to the Budget Buy and Sell building on the “Four Corners” and the old Carl and Bob’s location on East Main Street to house a bank and coffee shop combination enterprise. We can still accept additional applications, but time is running short, as we have to have all construction completed by June 30, 2010.

Patchogue is coming off of a very successful Holiday Season. The decorations this year were outstanding receiving many compliments far and wide. Our annual parade drew an estimated 12,000 to 14,000 spectators and our merchants thrived. Time marches on however, and we now must turn our attentions to spring and summer. We’re in the process of putting together our fiscal 2010 /2011 operating budget vowing to maintain the same tax rate that we have held for so many years now. Somehow, we manage to find new efficiencies and continue to get more done with the monies provided us. We will shortly start the bidding process for our 2010 garden maintenance program throughout our municipal parking fields, as well as, for the 2011 hanging basket program. The 2010 flowering hanging basket program is already in place and will appear along with American Flags throughout the Village in mid May, before our annual Memorial Day Parade.

Memorial Day is the official “kick-off” of summer, but there is always something exciting going on in Patchogue. The Theatre for the Performing Arts has new and exciting shows, something for everyone, each week and the Patchogue Medford Library calendar is as busy year round too. Please check out their web sites linked to this BID site. The St Patrick’s Day Parade is March 27th, this year and other spring events are on the drawing board as well. Summer will bring the usual mix of parades, water related events, street fairs, “Carnival Sale Days” and some of the finest dining around.