Monday, March 31, 2008

Oyster Bay Featured in Hamptons Magazine

A two-page spread on Oyster Bay was recently featured in the Spring 2008 issue of Hamptons magazine. Selected current and past residents, recent development, fine dining, retail, and other info about Oyster Bay were highlighted.

For a full version of the article, visit:
http://www.oysterbaymainstreet.org/docs/200804_Hamptons_Magazine.pdf

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Residents weigh in on Teddy Roosevelt museum plan

From News 12 Long Island:

Residents of Oyster Bay voiced their opinions about a plan to build a museum honoring the town’s most famous resident, President Theodore Roosevelt. Officials hope to build a $100 million Theodore Roosevelt museum at Fireman's Field. Different ideas were discussed with residents at a community meeting...

For complete article and video, visit:
http://www.news12.com/LI/topstories/article?id=208682

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Isaac D. Kremer Chosen as new Executive Director of Main Street Association


The Oyster Bay Main Street Association Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has appointed Isaac D. Kremer as the MSA’s new Executive Director, succeeding Joan Mahon. Ms. Mahon and Mr. Kremer will be working together during the month of March to ensure a seamless transition and a successful community event when Dan Burden of Walkable Communities returns to Oyster Bay on the 14th and 15th to address the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum Proposal and Firemen’s Field.

“We are happy to welcome Isaac Kremer to Oyster Bay and to our organization,” said Bill Sheeline, MSA President. “Isaac brings both unique skills and experience in historic preservation and revitalization that will enhance Main Street’s efforts in our hamlet.” Mr. Sheeline added, “We hope everyone will welcome Isaac as he familiarizes himself with the community and takes the reins from Joan, who has served our organization and our village so well for the past five years.”

Prior to joining Main Street, Kremer was a consultant specializing in historic preservation. His work included the documentation of over 100 Art Deco apartment houses in Manhattan’s north neighborhoods. He also helped building owners in Detroit to become eligible for the 20% Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit.

An expert in the Federal Preserve America program, Kremer helped three communities in Michigan receive designation as Preserve America communities. This distinction allowed each community to be eligible for up to $150,000 in grant monies for heritage tourism.

Kremer is a graduate of the City and Regional Planning program of Cornell University, where he received a Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation Planning, with specialization in architectural history and community development. He is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and well versed in the Main Street Approach, a program developed by the National Trust to stimulate renewal in historic commercial districts. He will be attending the National Trust’s Main Street Meeting in Philadelphia at the end of March and meeting with colleagues from across the United States.

Speaking of his priorities and objectives as executive director, Kremer expressed his desire "to be a visible presence in the community on behalf of Main Street, and to listen and understand the needs and interests of as many people as possible."

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Isaac Kremer.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Dan Burden of Walkable Communities will return to Oyster Bay


Dan Burden of Walkable Communities will return to Oyster Bay March 14 – 15, to help the community develop a vision for the Town of Oyster Bay’s Municipal Lot #06, also known as “Firemen’s Field.” The Oyster Bay Main Street Association, Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association are co-sponsors of the event, and additional sponsorships are still available. Mr. Burden, who has expertise as a community consensus builder, will serve as a neutral facilitator and will help the community address the concerns and opportunities raised by the Theodore Roosevelt Association’s (TRA) proposal to locate a Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Research Center at Municipal Lot #06.


The co-sponsors invite members of the community – no matter whether you are for, against, unsure, or simply want to learn more about the museum proposal – to attend a Walking Tour followed by a Town Meeting to consider the TRA proposal and it’s location at Firemen’s Field. Mr. Burden will also explore and respond to other suggestions the community proposes, such as a smaller scale TR Museum Visitors’ Center at the site for people arriving by train – in the event that the TRA finds another location that is a jitney ride away from the village – or other non-museum proposals for the site that may arise.


The Walking Tour at the proposed site will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, March 15th; the Town Meeting will be held that afternoon from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. at St. Dominic Canivan Hall auditorium located at the northwest corner of Anstice and Burtis Streets.
Dan Burden is a world-renowned expert in parking, traffic, streetscape, “placemaking” and walkability issues as well as an experienced facilitator with groups of opposing interests and opinions. He will be accompanied by an architect, Edward Erfurt, who can address concerns about the proposed museum’s scale and design.


Mr. Burden was first introduced to Oyster Bay in June of 2001 when he brought the community together in a four-day visioning session entitled, “Your Town, Your Future”. Many of the concepts developed by the people of Oyster Bay during the town meetings and design charrettes were written into the Oyster Bay Hamlet Plan, which was adopted by the Town Board in May of 2002. He last visited Oyster Bay in October 2004 when he provided an “audit” of the Oyster Bay Hamlet Plan. Both of these past engagements were sponsored by Main Street.


We are delighted that Dan Burden will be returning to Oyster Bay, a place he knows well, to help our community address the TR Museum proposal at Firemen’s Field. Dan brings 25 years of experience in towns and villages across America helping people resolve complex issues in a positive way. We hope you’ll join us for the Walking Tour and Town Meeting March 14 – 15.