GORDON HEIGHTS FUTURE
Text Box: Over 80 years ago, a group of pioneers settled a community later to be known as Gordon Heights. These pioneers left the metropolitan city of New York for many reasons and migrated to Eastern Long Island to settle with their families, possessions, and dreams. These dreams were very simple. The visions of these early settlers were of a home to raise their families; land to plant and watch God’s wonders grow; peace and quiet to share with their neighbors; opportunity to breathe God’s fresh air and an opportunity to give their children more educationally. These pioneers were Black Americans who were seeking a better way of life in “God’s Country” – Gordon Heights.

Project Listing
Text Box: Children’s Park: Bathhouse: Completed New Fencing and Field: Completed Granny Rd Park: Basketball Courts: Completed Bathhouse: In Progress Sidewalks Granny Rd: In Progress Wilson Ave: In Progress 25: In Progress St. Michael’s Center Upgrades: In Progress Text Box: Visioning

Dedicated to leaders of our past, looking to leaders of our future....

Visioning September 27, 2008 Results

 

Over 100 community members joined Vision Long Island, elected officials, and community members to plan the future of Gordon Heights. Town officials and departments gave detailed status regarding projects and grants developed from the initial Visioning in March 2006.  County and state officials also spoke of their progress regarding social and economic issues facing the community. Councilwoman Connie Kepert, Legislator Kate Browning accompanied by Legislator Jack Eddington, and Assemblywoman Pat Eddington all spoke of important pieces of legislation that they have passed to address to clustering of sex offenders in the community.  Members of the GHFD were also on hand to discuss the actions they have taken to help lower the fire taxes and their future plans. Various community leaders relayed their continuing commitment to the success of the Visioning though several new initiatives.  Overall, residents who attended agreed that they learned something new about the Visioning and that they felt that the day gave a renewed  momentum regarding the Visioning.

Minutes

Economic Research Associates Presentation

Cameron Engineering Presentation

Sex Offender Presentation

GHFD Presentation

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BEGINING

Over 250 Gordon Heights residents gathered together on March 4, 2006 to kick-off a visioning process for Gordon Heights with surveys, design tables and a review of community hopes and horrors.

Visioning coordinator Tawaun Whitty was quoted in the March 2nd Long Island Advance "Now it's our turn for progress. It's time for our community's appearance to match its rich history."

A primary message from residents was that they want to positively infuse the existing development with a clear sense of place, rather than tear their community apart in the name of ecomonic development. They want effective lighting, safer streets, better public transportation and access to commercial districts, affordable housing for single mothers, and a multi-use community center

Major concerns revolve around putting energy into a vision that may never be realized. Residents fear not being able to fund or get developer buy-in on their vision. The Town, however, appears committed to making sure that Gordon Heights gets the funding and attention it desires.

Councilwoman Connie Kepert has worked to negotiate substantial economic benefits package through the proposed Caithness Power Plant. Another thing making this particular effort unique is that the Town of Brookhaven has gone beyond the standard inclusion of planning department members to also involve representatives from the parks, housing, economic and community development departments.