At Bridgehampton Carnival, Housing Is a Winner
This weekend's carnival in Bridgehampton isn't just an opportunity to ride the Ferris wheel and win a stuffed animal for your date. The carnival will also help to raise money for affordable housing in the Town of Southampton.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Southampton Community Housing and Development Corporation, a not-for-profit dedicated to identifying and developing affordable housing in the town.
Carol Konner donated the use of the property on Montauk Highway, next to Carvel, for the carnival -- property where she had planned to build affordable apartments above commercial and retail space as part of a proposed mixed-use planned development district that the town proposed. Faced with opposition from a community group, she withdrew her support for the project in late May, and the town-sponsored plan fell by the wayside. Housing advocates had been supportive, and many residents spoke at hearings in favor of the plan.
"She was very appreciative of the work we did," said Curtis Highsmith Jr., the managing director of the Southampton Town Housing Authority and executive director of the housing corporation. "She made a heartfelt proposition" to offer the land free of charge for the carnival, he said. "It says a lot of the character of person that she is."
Mr. Highsmith said the housing corporation has been looking for more creative ways to raise money for affordable housing projects. "Why should we constantly go through the state and through the town?"
While the fund-raiser through the carnival was a last minute decision, he said his group been working fast to have all the pieces fall into place.
The housing corporation is asking for volunteers to sell ride tickets and bracelets at the event, as well as to direct cars, manage the parking lot, and pick up litter. It is also selling banner space to commercial sponsors: a three-by-two-foot banner on the fence surrounding the carnival will go for $200. Those interested can contact Mr. Highsmith at the housing authority office in Hampton Bays.
The carnival will be held Friday through Sunday from 6 to 11 p.m. and again from Wednesday through Saturday, July 23, at the same hours. Bracelets allowing unlimited rides can be purchased for $30 Friday, Wednesday, next Thursday, and Friday, July 22. A $5 discount coupon is available and can be found at such locations as Panera and the Children's Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton.
"We pray this is not the last time," Mr. Highsmith said. "We're going to really take this grassroots, self-funding efforts to the next level. We're not looking for taxpayers to foot the bill, we're looking for you to invest back in your community."