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

Oyster Bay Main Street Association Executive Director Resigns After Four Years of Service

Isaac D. Kremer downtown.
Credit: Danielle Finkelstein/Newsday

Oyster Bay, New York – Nearly four years to the day since he first arrived, Isaac D. Kremer announced that he will be leaving the Oyster Bay Main Street Association where he served as Executive Director to assume a new role with the leading historic preservation organization in Austin, Texas.

“These past four years have provided a remarkable opportunity for personal and professional growth,” Kremer said. “The Main Street Association is now more focused on the historic preservation aspect of their mission than at any time ever before, and they now have the resources to carry out that mission.”

During his tenure several major historic preservation and building renovation projects were undertaken and completed, most notably the restoration of the historic Octagon Hotel. Theodore Roosevelt ran his campaign for Governor from this building and was a frequent guest. Close to another dozen projects followed, resulting in creation of new residential and commercial units downtown.

Several major State and Federal Grants were secured. This included $700,000 through the New York Main Street Grant program, and another $70,000 from the Federal Preserve America program. When private and philanthropic gifts for projects such as the Octagon Hotel and a new interpretive and way-finding signage program are added, the amount raised in support of historic preservation and heritage tourism in Oyster Bay during Kremer’s tenure topped out at nearly $1 million.

Before and after photos of the Octagon Hotel, in 2008 and today. 

Partnerships were an important key to success. Projects with Sagamore Hill National Historic Site helped to highlight the many buildings with Theodore Roosevelt ties in the downtown. Oyster Bay was a founding member of the Gold Coast Mansions Historic Long Island Alliance to market and promote historic sites on Long Island. At the Federal level, Kremer participated in advocacy efforts for historic preservation through membership in Preservation Action and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Center. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Oyster Bay serving as Community Service Chair and President Elect.

The Main Street Association membership has undergone a remarkable transformation and growth over the past four years. The level of member giving reached the highest level in the history of the organization in fiscal year 2011, following upon four consecutive years of growth.

“What this shows is that the level of support for the Main Street organization mission among our members is the strongest it has ever been,” said John Bonifacio, Oyster Bay Main Street Association President. “This is a tribute to Isaac and his tenacity to lift up downtown Oyster Bay, by re-affirming our commitment to historic preservation.”

Dancing in the Street started in 2011.

The success in Oyster Bay is not measured merely by renovated buildings. Several new initiatives were started while Isaac was in Oyster Bay including the Oyster Bay Farmers’ Market, the Sundown Concert Series, Dancing in the Street, and many others. Individually and collectively these helped to attract people downtown once again.

Thirty businesses have opened or expanded in the downtown. Several of these business opened in under-utilized or previously vacant buildings that were upgraded and renovated thanks to State and Federal grants, as well as significant private investment.

Renderings from 1913 of "Hillside," a house at 198 East Main Street awaiting restoration.

This is a pattern that will hopefully continue moving forward. There are several large-scale projects such as restoration of the Hillside mansion (formerly the Trousdell House on East Main Street), as well as restoration of the Snouder’s Drug Store, and the Oyster Bay Long Island Railroad Station that will continue. By conservative estimates, close to $10 million in active or pending projects are underway that add to the over $30 million of investment made over the past decade.

“None of our success in Oyster Bay would have been possible without the support of the Oyster Bay Community Foundation, the Bahnik Foundation, and, most importantly, the time, passion, energy, and commitment of our Board of Directors and Members,” Kremer said. He added that on a personal level, “Oyster Bay gave me the greatest possible gift – I met my wife here and we have two beautiful sons. This is the legacy that I will forever be proudest of.”

Despite leaving, Kremer will seek to maintain a connection with Oyster Bay by continuing to advocate for support of revitalization of downtown areas across Long Island. Further, he will maintain his ties with the Underhill Burying Ground in Lattingtown, where Captain John Underhill was buried in 1672. Underhill helped to settle Oyster Bay in the 1650’s, and Kremer married his wife in Oyster Bay 350 years after Captain John Underhill married his wife in the same place.

Kremer hopes to come back a couple of times a year and to keep track of continued change and improvement in Oyster Bay. “Nothing would please me more than being able to stay at a bed and breakfast in a beautifully restored historic building near the downtown, and see Oyster Bay fully realize its potential to become one of the leading and most highly regarded small towns in America. The home town of Theodore Roosevelt deserves nothing less,” Kremer said.

In lieu of any gifts, Kremer has asked that financial contributions be made, in his name, to the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, P.O. Box 116, Oyster Bay, NY 11771.

Podcast of Oyster Bay Main Street Association 2010 Member Meeting

A Member Meeting for Oyster Bay Main Street was held the evening of April 15, 2010, at the Oakcliff Sailing Center. Presentations were made by President Ellen Roché and Executive Director. Guest speakers not included on this video include David Waldo from The WaterFront Center and Dawn Riley from the Oakcliff Sailing Center. For more information, please visit http://www.oysterbaymainstreet.org/.

OBMSA Mission
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.

OBMSA Vision
The inviting gateways to Oyster Bay, including the waterfront, Route 106, and the LIRR, lead to an aesthetically pleasing historic downtown. Visitors and residents alike are impressed by the artistic and cultural attractions, including appealing diverse restaurants and shops. Walking through the downtown, one can view public art and a pleasing streetscape, which provides outdoor seasonal dining. Museums and an accessible waterfront provide an engaging family-friendly experience.

Oyster Bay is the Place To Be this Spring and Summer!

Workers removing vinyl siding from the Brower House at 39-41 East Main Street in preparation for rehabilitation with support from a New York Main Street grant.

New York Main Street Grant
Since receiving a grant from the New York Main Street Grant program of the NYS Office of Community Renewal, we have invested $200,000 in five projects. Goals of this program include taking actions to prevent dangers to public health and safety, to preserve historic properties in danger of being lost, to reduce blight and contribute to the economic recovery of the area, and to improve properties with a residential component. The Brower House rehab at 39-41 East Main Street, and Fiddleheads restaurant expansion are underway. Other projects include adding signs, awning, and lighting to the North Shore Bank Building (Coin Galleries of Oyster Bay) at 90 South Street, renovation of the Townsend Inn Annex (9 Audrey Avenue), and tuck-pointing of the building at 63 Audrey Avenue now housing Shangri La Spa.

These projects build on the success of recent efforts to restore the Octagon Hotel. This building at Spring and West Main Streets is rapidly nearing completion, and will have 6 apartments and 3 retail units when finished.

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Main Street Member Meeting at Oakcliff Sailing Center on April 15
Recently a non-profit organization was formed to train the next generation of competitive sailors in the U.S. The headquarters of this organization are at 4 South Street, just north of the downtown area. There will be a Main Street Member Meeting on April 15, from 7-9pm at Oakcliff Sailing Center. Their new director will be present to share more about the work of the organization. David Waldo, Executive Director of The WaterFront Center will also be on hand to discuss some of the work WFC is doing.

You may RSVP for this meeting on our Facebook fan page.

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Preserve America Grant

Presently Oyster Bay is being considered for a $250,000 grant from the Preserve America program of the National Parks Service to go towards a $500,000 project. This would allow us to improve existing signage and to add new way-finding and interpretive signage downtown, and to produce a website and brochure promoting Oyster Bay. Partners in this effort include the Town of Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District, and the Long Island North Shore Heritage Area. We should know by early summer whether these funds are awarded.

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Beautification Cocktail Fundraiser on April 19
A cocktail fundraiser with food tasting from local restaurants will be held Monday, April 19, 2010 at Dodds & Eder (221 South Street). Proceeds from the event which costs $65 per person, will go towards efforts to beautify downtown Oyster Bay. The fundraiser is being organized by the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce. Reservations may be made by contacting them at (516) 922-6464.

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Oyster Bay Sundown
A live music series is being planned again for downtown Oyster Bay. Three restaurants: Canterbury’s, Fiddleheads, and The Homestead are all arranging to have live music every Thursday night. Live outdoor music will be provided the 1st Thursday of each month at Renaissance Plaza (24 Audrey Avenue) on June 3, July 1, & August 5, from 7-9pm each night. The kick-off for Oyster Bay Sundown will be held on May 3 at the Teaching Studios of Art to coincide with their spring registration drive. The last concert will be September 2 at The Homestead. These concerts are free and open to the public.

Main Street Announces over $100,000 in Improvements to Downtown Oyster Bay

Oyster Bay, New York – The Oyster Bay Main Street Association is pleased to announce that over half of a total of $200,000 in grant dollars have been awarded for building renovation and streetscape improvement projects.


The Brower House is one of several buildings targeted for rehabilitation through the New York Main Street grant program.

The first project to be funded is rehabilitation of the Brower House at 39-41 East Main Street. New York Main Street grant dollars will help to create one to three commercial units on the ground floor and two residential units on the upper floor.

The Brower House was built prior to the Civil War and is one of the oldest remaining residential buildings in the downtown area. Francis Brower, a milliner, is shown to have resided in the building as early as 1869. One of the Brower children, Wilber Brower, would later go on to marry Lois G. Bryant, a direct descendent of William Cullen Bryant. Fannie Brower is the last known Brower family member known to have resided in the family house, passing away some time after World War II.

Fiddleheads Restaurant is the second project to be funded. Investments here will help to stabilize an existing business, and contribute to recovery in the South Street corridor. Dollars are being allocated to facilitate expansion of the existing restaurant into an adjacent unit in the building they are located in. Historically appropriate signage will be added to the exterior, increasing the visibility of this business.

The Coin Galleries of Oyster Bay is being provided funds to upgrade and improve their signage on their building at the corner of South Street and Audrey Avenue. The design for this project is under consideration by the Oyster Bay Main Street Design Committee. This design calls for historically appropriate awnings over the windows, and carved historically appropriate signs above.

Another project tapped for New York Main Street grant dollars is Il Piatto restaurant which is re-branding itself as The Homestead. Grant dollars here will be used to help re-skin the existing awning, and install a new carved sign with gooseneck lighting.

An additional $25,000 is being targeted for streetscape improvements in the downtown area. Particular emphasis is being placed on improving lighting and signage on South Street, East Main Street, and Audrey Avenue Extension.

A second round of applications is being accepted for the remaining funds to be awarded. Projects eligible for funding must be located in the three block “target area” including the main intersection of Audrey Avenue, East Main Street, and South Street, and bounded by Spring Street and Audrey Avenue to the West, Hamilton Avenue to the North, White Street to the East, and East & West Main Streets to the south.

Building or business owners in the project area are eligible to apply for up to $40,000 per building, with an additional $20,000 per assisted residential unit available. The grant will require at least a 25% cash match on the part of the owner.

Oyster Bay Main Street Association will be responsible for selecting projects from applications received. Main Street President Ellen Roché said, “At the direction of the state we are especially looking for projects in the target area that have historic value, are visually prominent on Main Street, or that will, with the assistance of grant funds, realize a stabilization or expansion of a Main Street business.”

Completed applications are due by 4pm on Thursday, January 7, 2010, and may be delivered to the Main Street program office at 55 East Main Street, Oyster Bay. The grant application may be found on the Oyster Bay Main Streets website at www.oysterbaymainstreet.org or a copy may be requested by calling (516) 922-6982 or writing to oysterbaymsa@gmail.com.

Oyster Bay Made Eligible for $200,000 in New York Main Street Funds

Oyster Bay, New York – The Oyster Bay Main Street Association is pleased announce that their organization will receive $200,000 from the New York State Main Street program for building renovation and streetscape improvements in downtown Oyster Bay.

This grant was among more than $30 million for community development and Main Street revitalization announced by Governor David A. Paterson. “Revitalizing traditional downtown business districts, and rehabilitating and renovating housing for working families will provide much-needed investment and make New York a better place to live, work and raise a family”, according to Governor Paterson.

More details about this exciting grant program and how business owners and building owners might apply for these funds will be announced at the Oyster Bay Main Street Annual Meeting on September 15, 2009, at 7pm, in Christ Church Parish Hall, 55 East Main Street.

Projects eligible for funding are located in a three block “target area” including the main intersection of Audrey Ave, East Main Street, and South Street, and bounded by Spring Street and Audrey Avenue to the West, Hamilton Avenue to the North, White Street to the East, and East Main Street & West Main Street to the south.

Building or business owners in the target area are eligible to apply for up to $40,000 per building, with an additional $20,000 per assisted residential unit available up to a maximum total of $100,000 per project. The grant will require at least a 25% cash match on the part of the owner.

Oyster Bay Main Street Association will be responsible for selecting projects from applications received. Main Street President Ellen Roché said, “At the direction of the state we are especially looking for projects in the target area that have historic value, are visually prominent on Main Street, or that will, with the assistance of grant funds, realize a stabilization or expansion of a Main Street business.”

The application that made Oyster Bay eligible for these funds was submitted in April, and received supporting letters from Raynham Hall Museum, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, Save the Jewel By the Bay, and the Oyster Bay Historical Society. Sagamore Hill Superintendent Thomas E. Ross in their letter of support wrote, "The grant you are seeking is a critical piece in preserving and presenting the hamlet to thousands of visitors seeking to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt and the area's rich history."

Business and building owners considering applying for a grant are requested to attend a public workshop on Thursday, September 24, at 8:30am in the Christ Church Parish Hall, at 55 East Main Street. This will give people an opportunity to hear more about the program and to ask questions.

Completed applications are due by 4pm on Thursday, October 8, 2009, and may be delivered to the Main Street program office at 55 East Main Street, Oyster Bay. The grant application may be downloaded at the link that follows or by contacting Main Street at the information below: http://www.oysterbaymainstreet.org/OBMSA_Building_Renovation_Grant_Application.pdf

Contact: Isaac D. Kremer
P.O. Box 116, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Phone: (516) 922-6982
Email: oysterbaymsa@gmail.com