Planners retained for Long Island revitalization.

EDAW, Inc., a planning, environmental and landscape architectural firm, have been retained by the Incorporated Village of Mineola to assist in the revitalization of the downtown business district.

The project consists of evaluation of a new inter-modal transportation hub at the site of the Mineola train station and the creation of a vibrant and accessible downtown village area. The firm assisted in assessing the design and site improvements of the new bridge at the Mineola train station undertaken by the Long Island Railroad and the New York State Department of Transportation to reinforce its potential as an attractive gateway into the downtown area. Design schematics were presented that included a public/private "village green" and amenities such as lighting, benches, parking decorative paving, fencing and landscaping. "A major challenge to revitalizing a downtown district located near heavily traveled thoroughfares and mass transit is in establishing an inviting environment with appeal to pedestrians while facilitating the need for parking and vehicular passage," said William B. Kuhl, co-manager of EDAW, Inc.

The project will include modifications to the municipal parking garage adjacent to the St. James restaurant on Mineola Boulevard creating a pedestrian link facilitating access to the restaurant and local businesses. The design phase of the modification will begin in 2004 and include lighting, bollards and other landscaping to soften the structure's appearance. Construction will begin in 2005.

The first phase of the firm's streetscape improvements in the Village of Mineola began three years ago with the redesign of Main Street and Second Street.

Revitalization of adjacent neighborhoods has already been completed and the consistency in design will continue the motifs of the area gateway at the Franklin Avenue Beautification Project in Garden City, a project that earned Kuhl the American City and Country American Crown City Award in 2000.

EDAW, Inc. and the New York City Office of William B. Kuhl (OWBK) recently joined forces to form the New York City Office of EDAW, and consolidate some of the brightest stars in the landscape architectural profession.

William B. Kuhl, who was featured in Building Stone Magazine's Best and Brightest Landscape Architects in 2001, co-manages the New York practice with Tim Delorm, EDAW's Eastern Region Director and former managing principal of the Montclair, NJ office.

Over the last 35 years, Mr. Kuhl and his firm have garnered wide acclaim for projects ranging from streetscapes and atriums to parks and large-scale master plans.