Town of Hempstead staff told the board that Item 23 concerns a $2,000,000 congressional grant to improve Front Street.

A staff presenter said bids came in below the grant amount, creating an opportunity to extend the streetscape "on Front Street, between California and Fenmore Avenue." When a resident asked what "beautification" means, the presenter listed planned upgrades: "sidewalks will be improved. We will have benches, light poles, trash receptacles, things of those nature." The presenter offered to go over the full streetscape specifics after the meeting.

The funding source was described in the meeting as a congressional grant; the presenter said bids were below the $2,000,000 allocation, allowing additional streetscape work to proceed. The board did not vote on this item during the public-comment period captured in the transcript; staff invited commenters to discuss details with them after the meeting.

Next steps: staff said they would review the detailed scope with interested residents after the session and provide the project limits and schedule. The board did not state a construction start date during the comments recorded here.