On the morning of Friday, September 24th, the Roaring Twenties returned to the American Venice Historic District, situated on the Copiague and Lindenhurst border!
Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey joined Legislator Jason Richberg, Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer, and Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez for the dedication of the new East and West Riviera Bridges.
The bridges, which were in complete disrepair following Super Storm Sandy, are just some of the unique architectural features of the American Venice. The Venice also includes a pair of winged-lion columns that guard the end of the marina just south of Montauk Highway.
Councilman DuWayne Gregory and Brendan Cunningham of New York State Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre’s office also joined members of the American Venice Civic Association at the ceremony, where Town and County officials presented proclamations to Angelo Costanza of Blue Marlin Boats. Mr. Costanza had the Lion of Venice pillars restored at the entrance to the American Venice, and will play a great role in further redevelopment of the area.
Of special note was Town of Babylon Historian Mary Cascone, who worked with the New York State Government Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) to have the bridges rebuilt and fit to handle the heavy weight of modern large trucks, especially emergency and construction vehicles while preserving the original design of when they were constructed in 1926.
As part of the celebration, Legislator McCaffrey and Supervisor Schaffer donned derby hats and hopped in a model T-Ford to ceremoniously cross the new bridges. In closing, Civic Association President John Vogt said a few words thanking everyone for all of their work in making this happen. Stay tuned for more great updates to come from the Venice!
Legislator Kevin McCaffrey represents Suffolk County's 14th Legislative District, which encompasses the Villages of Lindenhurst and Babylon, the hamlets of West Babylon and North Lindenhurst, portions of Copiague, North Babylon, and Babylon's barrier beach communities.