Q&A: Nancy Rauch Douzinas, The Rauch Foundation

Long Island Business News has enjoyed many conversations with Nancy Rauch Douzinas, including a Two Minutes Q&A in February 2010. Her focus never waivers: improving Long Island, through tools such as the Build a Better Burb website.

What’s happening on the Build a Better Burb site?

Build a Better Burb puts ideas out there – where we want to be moving, the best practices. We’re trying to refocus the thinking and design. There will be interviews with Long Island leaders doing interesting things.

Is there an example on Long Island you can share that makes this a better burb? 

I don’t think we can point to anything visual and say, “This is the best in suburban design.” The things happening here are more underground – a movement toward better mass transit in terms of bus transit in Suffolk, the second track to Ronkonkoma, East Side access. The whole issue of transit-oriented design. We know we need it, but that doesn’t mean enough is happening.

If you could wave a wand and make one or two things happen on Long Island, what would they be?

Affordable housing and other multi-unit development, ideally connected to train stations. We had a report that said 8,300 acres are available and underutilized around Long Island train stations. We need affordable apartments located near transit. I would create another 10 Patchogues or Great Neck Villages.

What do you like about Patchogue? 

Patchogue is working well. It’s got a great mayor. They’re attracting young people, more than any other place on Long Island. They understand people want that kind of community and life. They understand the importance of the arts and a downtown vibe.

What’s the state of Long Island’s downtowns? Things are starting to happen slowly. But we have to work on creating incentives and make sure we have enough affordable units. We have to make it easier for builders to build in town.