County Backs Funding for Northport Info Booth

An information booth is coming to Northport Village, Deputy Mayor Henry Tobin announced Monday.

The kiosk will provide residents and visitors with information what they can find in town, upcoming events, local organizations and share Northport history.

The information booth had been an idea that the Northport Chamber of Commerce had wanted to put together for years, but never had the funding to do so, Tobin said. However, when it was learned that Suffolk County was having another round of downtown revitalization grants for small projects, the chamber realized that the information booth could become a reality.

Steve King, a member of the Architectural and Historic Review Board (ARCHEs), and another resident, James Murray, designed a building that plays off of traditional Northport architecture, including the old Ice House that was on Main Street below Woodbine. Northport architect Alex D. Latham of ADLIII will provide the construction drawings. 

The grant was written and submitted by the Northport Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Village of Northport. Now, the County’s Downtown Revitalization Citizens Advisory Panel has recommended funding for it and County Executive Steve Bellone will be submitting it to the County Legislature for approval.

"There are so many community organizations and so much history, and wonderful events that go on. Now when people walk into town, they will have a central location to get information," Northport Chamber of Commerce President Debi Triola said, adding that she is very excited to see the project through.

The information booth will be by the entrance to Northport Park, just off Main Street, close to the village dock, Tobin said.

“We believe that this information booth will benefit both our residents and businesses and make Northport an even more enjoyable place to visit,” he added. 

The kiosk is expected to open by Spring 2014.