Politics & Government

Port Jeff Receives $100K Grant From New York State For Improvements to Harborwalk

Project will renovate the walkway between Brookhaven Town Harborwalk and Harborfront Park.

Port Jefferson has received a $100,000 grant from New York State to complete the walkway between the Brookhaven Town Harborwalk and . The grant matches $100,000 that the village already has set aside for the project.

In May, of its side of the walkway, replacing old decking, adding new lighting and posts, stainless steel handrails, wood ladders and completing other renovations to the dock and parking lot, including the removal of two old gas tanks.

With the money from this grant, the village will complete the work. As of now the connection between the Brookhaven side and Harborfront Park is unfinished with wooden two-by-fours instead of the stainless steel handrails that were installed by the Town to the west of the village-owned walkway.

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“The work will match our pier and the town pier,” said Mayor Margot Garant.

She said that the construction project will be put out for bid.

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Since it was completed in 2004, Harborfront Park located next to the Port Jefferson-Bridgeport Ferry terminal, has become a popular outdoor space for visitors and residents alike. Also in the park are the recently renovated , which houses a , and the old shipyard building that was converted in 2005 to the with an ice skating rink. The building also houses the village’s Recreation Department.

According to a statement released by the village, “completion of Harborwalk will increase access to and encourage appreciation of a newly created public space on the waterfront that includes areas for passive recreation, picnicking and maritime appreciation.”

The grant is part of $785 million Regional Economic Development Council initiative to drive economic growth and create jobs in New York State. Part of that money goes toward tourism and leveraging natural assets in communities across the state.

Garant said that protecting and renovating the Harborwalk is an important part of support the downtown businesses. Among other ideas, the Economic Development Council in the village is working on bringing in a shuttle to help visiting mariners access the village.

“We believe Harborfront Park and the water as a gateway are major attractions and economic engines for the central business district,” said Garant.


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