This is the wrong project, in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
TOGETHER WE CAN STOP THIS!!!
Since 1979, Housing Help, Inc. (HHI) www.housinghelp.net an organization from Greenlawn, NY has been trying to build “affordable housing” on the corner of Elwood and Pulaski Roads in East Northport. After years of litigation, HHI won a settlement, and this project is becoming closer to a reality. The pr...oposed housing project will consist of 155 units, half of which will be rentals. While we recognize that home ownership is a fundamental part of the American Dream and everyone has a right to pursue that dream we, as the residents of Northport and East Northport, feel that this project infringes on OUR American Dream. As residents, there are many issues we are concerned about, and our voices need to be heard by our Elected Officials. We have a right to have a say in the development of our community. This project is being pushed through without consideration for changes in our community, our economy and our lives.
1. Affordable Housing may be already here: The housing market on Long Island is flooded with thousands of already available homes, co-op’s, condo’s and rentals. Mortgage rates are at historic lows making payments, when qualified, more affordable than ever. Some speculate that Suffolk County home prices have still not hit bottom and may fall an additional 12%, and in addition, foreclosures and short sales persist.
2. Air Pollution: There have been studies done that there are toxins in the soil. Construction and removal of the surface soil may release toxins such as arsenic into the air, into our neighborhoods, and into our surrounding schools.
3. Water Pollution: They intend to place a SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT on the site. Byproducts and Hazardous Materials will exist. This will be built in proximity of our SOLE SOURCE AQUIFER, and the COUNTY WELL FIELD that provides our PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY as well as TWO SCHOOLS, the LIRR and a LIPA substation.
4. School Impact: The Northport/East Northport School District, in the midst of their own economic crisis, which has been compounded by a lack of government funding, is in the process of finalizing a budget that may include the laying off of Teachers and Staff, consolidation or elimination of positions, reducing of programs and potentially larger class sizes. In a sad irony, HHI will be using, at least in part, government funding to help build this project. No one can predict the number of children that will suddenly be wedged into our classrooms. HHI claims that a study done 16 years ago with 20 year old census data is adequate. In addition: The SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT and SOIL REMEDIATION and related hazards are in close proximity to TWO SCHOOLS”
5. Safety: No one disputes traffic will be adversely and dramatically affected, so imagine our children and parents having to fight the intersections and train track crossings – which leads us to:
6. Taking From our Kids: They intend to use eminent domain via the County to grab land from Pulaski Rd. Elementary School to improve Elwood Road access to THEIR project, while destroying ball fields and play areas, and diminishing safety barriers from the roadway to the school property.
7. No experience: HHI has not developed, built or managed a property of this magnitude. It is hard to imagine that they have the skills to manage, maintain and respond to the needs of such a large project.
8. Ask a Question, Get a History Lesson: Feel free to check their documents. Many of HHI’s cited studies that they hold so dear and use to stay “on message” are often 10 to 20 years old. Do you base your family’s decisions today on plans you made in 1994? HHI does. This is a very different world, population, economy, and town as compared to 20 years ago.
Since 1979, Housing Help, Inc. (HHI) www.housinghelp.net an organization from Greenlawn, NY has been trying to build “affordable housing” on the corner of Elwood and Pulaski Roads in East Northport. After years of litigation, HHI won a settlement, and this project is becoming closer to a reality. The proposed housing project will consist of 155 units, half of which will be rentals. While we recognize that home ownership is a fundamental part of the American Dream and everyone has a right to pursue that dream we, as the residents of Northport and East Northport, feel that this project infringes on OUR American Dream. As residents, there are many issues we are concerned about, and our voices need to be heard by our Elected Officials. We have a right to have a say in the development of our community. This project is being pushed through without consideration for changes in our community, our economy and our lives.
