Big Plans For WHB’s Main Street

Westhampton Beach officials are planning to overhaul Main Street in a proposed infrastructure and beautification project that will include the installation of roundabouts, the replacement of storm drains, and the burial of utility lines.

The Westhampton Beach Village Board of Trustees will host a presentation by engineers and landscape artists from H2M on the project on Wednesday, July 18, at village hall.

The presentation will begin at 5 PM in the board room.

The estimated $5 million project proposed includes new curbs and sidewalks, new lighting, and the installation of two roundabouts — one at Potunk Lane, the other at Library Lane and Mill Road. Officials are also working with the Public Service Electric Group of Long Island to bury power lines, a move that could be coordinated with the replacement of storm drains along the vista.

Mayor Maria Moore said the board has been working to finetune the project with H2M, and the latest presentation will likely be the last one to keep the public up-to-date on how it’s proceeding. She expects the project will be put out to bid soon.

“It’s long overdue. I believe that the residents and merchants on Main Street are looking forward to these changes,” she said.

Moore said the project is partially funded by revitalization grants from Suffolk County, as well as state grant money secured by Assemblyman Fred Thiele and Senator Kenneth LaValle. Additional funds were set aside in village’s general fund.

Attorney Barry Bernstein, whose development “145 Main Street,” located at the juncture of Main Street and Library Avenue where the roundabout is proposed, said he supports the project because it will be a positive change for the village.

“I think it’s a good change,” he said. “If you look at Westhampton Beach in a few years, it’s going to be different.”

Making the village more attractive will also draw more visitors, he said, noting people are already recognizing the advantage of Westhampton Beach as a closer option to the Hamptons without the hour-long drive.

“They want to be here,” he said.

For more information about the Main Street project, visit www.westhamptonbeach.org and click on the Main Street Project link.

peggy@indyeastend.com