Oyster Bay, New York – Over a decade has passed since the Oyster Bay Main Street Association officially received its charter on September 28, 2001. Since that time downtown Oyster Bay has been transformed for the better. In the past decade over $30 million of public and private investment has been made in the downtown. This has helped to support 57 business start-ups, over 80% which are still open today. Over 60 façade and signs have been improved, with many of these receiving OBMSA support.
To
celebrate these changes to downtown Oyster Bay, Main Street is planning an
Annual Meeting for January 26, 2012, from 7pm-9pm at The Life Enrichment Center
at Oyster Bay (formerly Doubleday Babcock Senior Center), 45 East Main Street.
Many people involved in the founding and the growth and development of Main
Street will be present. A special panel discussion on the “Future of Oyster
Bay” will be held, echoing a report of the same title published in 1999 that
helped to get the Main Street idea in Oyster Bay started.
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| John Bonifacio, President, Oyster Bay Main Street |
Guests planning to attend the Annual Meeting are encouraged to RSVP.
Oyster
Bay Main Street President John Bonifacio speaking of the meeting said: “I can
imagine no better time than our 10 year anniversary to look back at our past
accomplishments, while also sharing a positive and proactive vision for our
future.”
A blog has been created, to provide an overview of positive changes that have been made to Oyster Bay over the past decade. This may be accessed at: http://futureofoysterbay.blogspot.com/.
Four New Initiatives
Will be Announced
At the
Annual Meeting four new initiatives will be announced. These will be included
in an Annual Report. The report distributed to members who register or renew
their membership at the meeting or in advance. One of these initiatives
includes a façade and sign improvement fund.
Oyster
Bay Main Street Vice-President, Design Chair, and practicing Architect Henry
Clark said: “It has long been an aspiration to have a fund for building improvements
that Main Street controls. We are now fortunate to have this thanks to the
generosity of our many donors.”
The new
fund will assist with façade and sign improvement funds downtown. Projects
receiving funding will be asked to follow the Oyster Bay Design Guidelines
available on the Main Street website. This fund will provide up to 75% of the
total project costs not to exceed $1,000 for sign improvements downtown. Even
greater support is available for façade improvements in eligible buildings.
The
first business to already benefit from this program was Funni Business, a toy
store which recently opened at 27 Audrey Avenue. Those seeking funding should
request and submit an Application available in the Main Street office in the
Oceanic House at 21 West Main Street.
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| Before and after photo of the Oceanic House, 21 West Main St. |
New Office in the
Oceanic House
On
October 1, the Oyster Bay Main Street program officially opened a new office in
the Oceanic House. President John Bonifacio speaking of this location said,
“The Oceanic House and the loving restoration by its owners exemplifies the
sort of improvements that Main Street seeks to encourage in downtown Oyster
Bay. This building not only affords us an excellent office space but also
powerfully expresses our mission to enhancing an attractive and thriving
downtown, while maintaining its historic integrity.”
New Members Sought
In preparation
for the Annual Meeting on January 26, an Annual Appeal was sent out to members.
Given the 10 year anniversary of the organization, a special request was made
for returning members and new members to consider making a three-year pledge to
the Association. As an incentive for members who contribute $500 or greater,
they will receive a beautiful aerial photograph of Oyster Bay framed and signed
by photographer Stephen Mastrorocco. Main Street Treasurer Claude Bahnik said,
“This is just a small way for us to recognize and thank people for their
generosity.”
For
those wishing more information about the Oyster Bay Main Street Association,
membership, sponsorship opportunities, or the upcoming Annual Meeting on
January 26, please call (516) 922-6982 or visit www.oysterbaymainstreet.org.
For past OBMSA meetings, please visit:
For past OBMSA meetings, please visit:
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