Civics students secure $1.9M grant for pedestrian safety in Medford

Brookhaven Town officials joined administrators, staff and students from the Patchogue-Medford school district this week to announce the receipt of a $1.9 million grant from the New York State Department of Transportation to install sidewalks and pedestrian improvements along Buffalo Avenue in Medford. 

The grant is the direct result of advocacy from former and current students in a Generation Civics class offered at Patchogue-Medford High School. The course, led by social studies teacher Shaun Carlson, challenges students to identify community problems and work toward a solution.

In 2020, students identified the need for sidewalks along Buffalo Avenue as their priority, citing dangerous conditions for pedestrians. The students reached out to local officials for assistance and, last week, learned their perseverance paid off. The project has been awarded a $1.9-million New York State grant through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAPS).

“We applied for this grant once and we didn’t get it, but we reapplied and received it this year,” said Town of Brookhaven Superintendent of Highways Daniel Losquadro. “This is a true illustration of what we can do if we work collaboratively and what we can accomplish together.”

While the grant is for $1.9 million, the project is estimated to cost $2.4 million. Brookhaven Town has agreed to fund the difference. 

“This is a great example of students using their voice and how local government works and can impact the community in a positive way,” said Carlson. “I tell the students all the time, never give up, and here we are six years later.”