Greenport gets nearly $3M for parks, sewer and water-quality upgrades

Greenport will get a nearly $3 million boost for much-needed park and infrastructure upgrades, state and local officials announced Monday.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni joined Mayor Kevin Stuessi, Village Clerk Candace Hall and community members at the Third Street basketball courts to celebrate the funding.

The village will receive $2.65 million in state aid, including $500,000 for park improvements and $2.15 million for sewer and water-quality infrastructure meant to support housing and protect the bay.

Mr. Heastie said the Assembly will work next year to get up to $8 million more for the village,

The parks funding will support several improvements throughout the village and continue work at the Third Street courts and playground, which were recently upgraded through a separate, privately funded project.

“The Fifth and Sixth Street parks are suffering from huge issues with climate change and runoff,” Mayor Stuessi said. “We are fighting the good fight, and with the leadership of our speaker and this state and all these folks who are working for us, we’re going to make great progress.”

Mr. Schiavoni, who is running for reelection next month, said investments in community infrastructure help make it “possible for our young people to stay here in our communities.”

“This park transforms into Madison Square Garden in July for these little kids here,” the Democrat said of the Third Street court. “It is a fantastic sight to see.”

Mr. Heastie said state dollars are best spent on projects residents use every day.

“This is your money; it’s state money,” he said. “The best way to spend money is on things that people need every day in their lives, whether it’s parks for young people, but also infrastructure for new housing.”

The village had approved an effort to improve the Third Street courts after a public debate this spring. The board voted June 25 to accept the proposal, which followed meetings where many residents backed the work while others raised concerns about noise in the area.

Resident Tod Hart, who is behind the project with Collin Ratsey, first presented the upgrades to the board at its May 21 meeting.

The $42,570 project includes larger polycarbonate backboards, collapsible rims, heavy-duty nets and protective pads on the poles. It also calls for an eight-foot hoop for younger children and a mural.

The courts are also home to the annual NoFo Kid Connect basketball tournament, organized by Ms. Hall.

“This basketball court has been a safe place for at least three decades or more for different families coming to visit, families that live here,” she said. “This is a very remarkable place that has recently gotten some much-needed love, so I would love to see that continue for our village.”