Nassau Hub Transportation & Redevelopment

We led the urban design and planning for the planned development within a 10-square-mile area in the center of Nassau County, Long Island in collaboration with STV. This award-winning plan, defined by former county executive Tom Suozzi as the "Vision for New Suburbia," began with a new transportation system that links the Nassau Coliseum, existing communities, recreational areas, and business centers. Building off of the transportation improvements, the plan suggested new commercial buildings, new sports entertainment and tourism venues, workforce housing, a zoo at Eisenhower Park, new housing in Hempstead Village, and an improved Museum Row at Mitchel Field. The plan also included a connective open space spine, defined as 'the emerald ribbon,'' which incorporated five miles of pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths, connecting existing parks and preserves; and a new transit boulevard from EAB Plaza to Roosevelt Field Mall.

We later worked with Jacobs Engineering and Nassau County on an updated Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Impact Statement for the development. We evaluated various alignment alternatives, transportation modes, and zoning options for transit-oriented development scenarios in an effort to define a locally preferred alternative, which was tested in the EIS. Each alternative that was considered supported a mix of site-specific uses and incorporated public open space at each of the stations to anchor the various neighborhoods.