OBMSA Receives Preservation Grant

National Trust for Historic Preservation Awards the 

Oyster Bay Main Street Association a Preservation Grant 

To Procure Historic Architectural Services for 49 Audrey Avenue

Media Contacts: 

NTHP Public Affairs, 202.588.6141, PR@SavingPlaces.org

OBMSA, Meredith Maus, 516.922.6982, mamaus@oysterbaymainstreet.org

Oyster Bay, New York (August 20, 2015) - The Oyster Bay Main Street Association was awarded a $4,718.75 grant by the National Trust for Historic Preservation from the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation. These grant funds will be used to secure the services of Historic Architect John Collins during the initial planning phases of an intended larger renovation of 49 Audrey Avenue by the owner.

49 Audrey Avenue, April 2015
Photos by Meredith Maus

Project Description

Mr. Collins will produce detailed drawings and plans on 49 Audrey Avenue, which will provide a complete overview of the project and will be vital during every phase of the intended renovation.  Record drawings will be completed to the standards of the Historic American Building Survey and will serve to provide a deeper understanding of existing conditions within the building, highlighting important historic features and fabrics.  Should later investigations reveal greater historical importance related to the building, these drawings will serve as a record of the original building prior to renovation.  Preliminary and final design drawings; construction drawings; and code compliance oversight will also be provided and supported through this grant.

49 Audrey Avenue is a large, high-visibility building on the main thoroughfare of Oyster Bay.  The five apartments on the second and third floors have been vacant and out of compliance for over ten years and the commercial spaces have been vacant since the former tenant, The Chocolate Lady, relocated in 2012.  The renovation of this high profile building will help two-fold by combating blight in the downtown, as well as, increasing the number of residential units available in the downtown - giving a boost to the base available to better support local commerce.  "Beyond that," said Meredith Maus, Executive Director of the Main Street Association, "we hope this renovation will also serve as an example of how the proper renovation of an historic building will help attract and sustain appropriate businesses in our downtown."

Grant Information

"Organizations like the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, help to ensure that communities and towns all across America retain their unique sense of place," said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "We are honored to provide a grant to the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, which will use the funds to help preserve an important piece of our shared national heritage."

Grants from the National Trust Preservation Funds range from $2,500 to $5,000 and have provided over $15 million since 2003. These matching grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the country to support wide-ranging activities including consultant services for rehabilitating buildings, technical assistance for tourism that promotes historic resources, and the development of materials for education and outreach campaigns.

For more information on National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Fund grants, visit: www.PreservationNation.org/funding

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately-funded nonprofit organization that works to save America’s historic places to enrich our future. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is committed to protecting America’s rich cultural legacy and helping build vibrant, sustainable communities that reflect our nation’s diversity. Follow us on Twitter @presnation.

About the Oyster Bay Main Street Association

Oyster Bay Main Street Association (OBMSA) is dedicated to enhancing and promoting an attractive and thriving downtown, while maintaining its historic integrity. We are a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit using the National Main Street Approach® to downtown revitalization.  To learn more or to become a member, please visit: www.oysterbaymainstreet.org.

Earth Day in Oyster Bay: Plus things You can do Everyday

How Can You Help and Get Involved?

Image courtesy of www.sustainablefurnishings.org

On the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day it is important we take a moment to consider how we might get involved in taking care of our planet.  The concept of taking care of a whole planet can be overwhelming, but you can make a difference by getting involved on a local level, right here in Oyster Bay.  Stealing a sentiment here from Theodore Roosevelt's 1906 Fourth of July speech, "The way to be good citizens of this nation, you friends here, is to be good citizens of Oyster Bay."

ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

There are many organizations you can get involved with that are working to clean up our harbor, beaches and our streets for the benefit of all.  Below are some different activities, volunteer opportunities and programs you may want to involve yourself in sponsored by the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Environmental Resources, Friends of the Bay, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), and PSEG-LI:


-  Coming up this Saturday, April 25th there will be a Harbor & Beach Clean Up Co-sponsored by the Town of Oyster Bay, Friends of the Bay, and the North Oyster Bay Baymen Association.  To learn more about volunteering Call: 516-677-5943

-  The Town of Oyster Bay's Department of Environmental Resources installed a rain garden near the waterfront to help mitigate the negative effects of storm water runoff.  To learn more about the garden click here.  The Department will assist students with volunteer and scouting projects in creating and building rain gardens.  For more information call (516) 677-5853. 

- TOB also has several other programs you can be involved in including Water Quality Monitoring, GeesePeace program, and multiple outreach programs.  To learn more about programs offered through the Town click here.

- Friends of the Bay also has many volunteer opportunities year round for those interested.  To get involved visit their website: www.friendsofthebay.org.

- The Oyster Bay Main Street Association will also be hiring an individual twice a week to clean up around the downtown - sweeping up loose debris on our streets and in our parking lots.  If you know anybody who is interested please have them contact Executive Director, Meredith Maus, 516-922-6982 or by email, mamaus@oysterbaymainstreet.org.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY - OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE YOU MONEY

Outside of volunteering and helping to clean up our ecosystem there is something we can each do to ensure that our homes and our businesses are efficiently using energy or in some cases, producing energy.

- NYSERDA is offering free energy audits to non-profits and businesses with 10 employees or less through their Small Commercial Energy Efficiency Program.  Energy assessments can help small businesses and not-for-profit organizations make informed electrical energy decisions and implement energy-efficiency strategies. Assessments help identify economically viable improvements that yield substantial annual energy savings.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact Elisabeth Fiteni, NYSERDA Regional Outreach Coordinator at 631-471-1215 x166 or by email: efiteni@cdcli.org.

- NYSERDA is also offering through their Small Commercial Energy Efficiency Program two low-interest loan options to finance energy efficiency projects.  These financing opportunities help small businesses and not-for-profits access upfront capital to make upgrades in their buildings to improve energy efficiency and lower their energy bills.  For more information visit: http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Small-Business-Financing or Contact Elisabeth Fiteni at the contact info above.

- PSEG-LI is also cooperating with NYSERDA in a solar program, The NY-Sun Incentive Program.  This program is open to residents and small businesses and provides funding to help reduce the cost of installing solar electric systems across New York State.  Click here to learn more about how to participate in this program.

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The Oyster Bay Main Street Association and the Chamber of Commerce would be happy to arrange a public information session regarding these programs if individuals are interested in learning more.  If you are interested, please send a quick email stating as much to mamaus@oysterbaymainstreet.org.

Happy Earth Day!

OBMSA Still Accepting Applications

OBMSA is still accepting applications for the third cycle of its privately funded Facade and Sign Grant.  We are currently halfway through the cycle and will be accepting applications on a rolling basis until August 11, 2015.  

The grant is eligible to new and existing businesses in the downtown who are interested in securing a new sign to positively highlight their business in the downtown.  The Main Street Association will work closely with business owners to design appropriate signage and will reimburse owners 75% of their pre-approved sign up to $2,000.  

For more information about eligible participants and for a copy of the application, visit: http://www.oysterbaymainstreet.org/obmsa-facade-and-sign-grant.html.

Since 2013, we have invested over $20,000 into the downtown, assisting 12 new and existing businesses.

Here are some photos from the previous and current grant cycles:

2013

4-8 Audrey Avenue Before

4-8 Audrey Avenue After

80 South Street After

9 East Main Street After

2014

2015

Oyster Bay Main Street Association Moves Forward With Grant Funding

The Oyster Bay Main Street Association has been quietly working on its mission of revitalizing and preserving Oyster Bay’s historic downtown and is pleased to announce that it has completed administering its 2009 New York State Main Street Grant.

As of May 2012 it has successfully disbursed the entire grant amount of $200,000 back into the Hamlet of Oyster Bay. Funds were used for façade improvements on the Brower House and Townsend Annex Building, now home to two new businesses, the Mill Pond and Spotted Owl Consignment shops. Additional funds were disbursed to several other businesses in the downtown including “Coin Galleries of Oyster Bay”, “Sweet Tomato Healthy Eatery”, “Jack Halyards American Grill”, “Gone Dancing Studio of Dance” and “Shangri La Spa”. Finally, funds were used to purchase 6 recycling receptacles which will be strategically placed in the immediate downtown business district.

In late 2011 the OBMSA was awarded an additional $500,000 grant similar in scope to the 2009 grant and is happy to announce the first projects are underway. These include the purchase and installation of 12 additional streetlamps to be located along South Street, and the purchase of a reproduction antique street clock to grace the outside plaza of the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum.

As it had done with the previous New York Main Street Grant, the organization will use additional grant funds to assist business and building owners with historically appropriate signage and façade improvements. It is the hope of the organization that other business owners will utilize Main Street’s grants to improve their buildings and signage to one that is both appealing and cohesive in a historic downtown like Oyster Bay.

For those who are interested in learning more about the Oyster Bay Main Street Association and how to apply for assistance in signage and facade improvements, please call 516-922-6982 or visit http://www.oysterbaymainstreet.org/.

Contact:

Meredith Maus, Project Manager

oysterbaymsa@gmail.com

(516) 922-6982