Downtown Glen Cove is bright and merry just in time for the holiday season. New holiday decorations adorn the lampposts, additional string lights have been installed and the police booth has been transformed into a gingerbread house, creating a festive and welcoming feel, thanks to the Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District.
While the streets are decorated every year, it has been over 15 years since the bows and garland were updated. This summer, Assemblyman Charles Lavine secured a $25,000 grant for the Glen Cove Downtown BID that went toward the purchase of new lighted garland and gold bows for the lampposts on School, Glen and Bridge streets. Initially, the BID’s Capital Improvements Committee planned to phase in the new decorations, until Assemblyman Lavine came through with an opportunity that made it possible to purchase more decorations.
With Lavine’s support, the Downtown BID applied for a grant through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. This grant funding allowed the BID to purchase 73 decoration kits that included 15-foot garland with LED lights and 3-foot gold mylar bows. The decorations were installed by the Glen Cove Department of Public Works in mid-November and now provide an extra sparkle to the downtown streets.
“I’m thrilled to have secured a grant for the gorgeous decorations which are giving downtown Glen Cove a bright new look this holiday season,” Lavine said. “Great teamwork with Glen Cove BID Executive Director Patricia Holman, whose leadership was critical on this project.”
In total, the new decorations cost $32,000, with the Glen Cove BID’s capital improvement fund covering the remainder of the cost.
“Without Lavine’s support, we would have only been able to update a portion of the downtown decorations this year,” Patricia Holman, executive director of the Downtown BID, said. “But now, between the new garland and bows and the string lights, our downtown comes to life at night, and it makes the downtown more welcoming. We greatly appreciate his support for making our community more festive.”
Holman noted that the string lights on School and Glen Streets were also purchased with a grant. That grant funding was awarded to the Downtown BID by PSEG Long Island through its Main Street Revitalization grant in 2021 and 2022, allowing multiple sets of lights to be installed throughout downtown. Unfortunately, she added, due to electrical issues with the lampposts, some of the lights are currently without power, but the issue is being addressed and should be taken care of soon.
And the final touch of holiday spirit enhancing downtown this month is the transformation of the police booth into a gingerbread house. The Downtown BID collaborated with students from Glen Cove High School’s art club, who painted the windows with gingerbread people, candy canes and wreaths. Lights were installed by Joseph M. Basile Electric, and newly purchased candy cane, lollipop and gingerbread decorations were then placed on the walls and roof.
“The police booth is a visible building in the center of downtown and is a prime spot for spreading holiday messages all year round,” Holman said. “We’re happy to showcase the talents of the high school students.”
