National Grid employees volunteered cleaning up the alleyway between New York Avenue and New Street, between LeiLu and Value Drugs in Huntington during their week of service, where more than 500 employees participated in nearly 50 events across Long Island.

Through a National Grid Project C grant, the alleyway was cleared of all debris and weeds and sections were paved by Asplundh Construction, who also volunteered their time. The alleyway is now clean and now safe to walk. This is the beginning of the creation of an “Artist Alley” which Huntington is known for.

The rest of the grant will be used to install planters, murals and safety features such as emergency phones and sustainable lighting. The community’s involvement is paramount including the 1653 Foundation, the Huntington Arts Council and the Department of Cultural Affairs.

“The National Grid team was diligent and committed to taking what has been a mess for decades, eliminating safety hazards and prepping us for next steps in building a true “Artists Alley” that will become a destination not just for Huntington, but for our region,” said Bob Bontempi, Chairman, 1653 Foundation.

The 1653 Foundation focuses on managing and enhancing the parklands and public spaces of the Town of Huntington. Through collaboration with town government, various committees, partner organizations and other influencers, they inform policy decisions and direct funding to select projects to further their mission.

“As a Huntington resident I love walking into town, which is known for its alleyways,” said Lauren Perry, Manager of Customer and Community Engagement, National Grid. “Our employee volunteers worked hard and transformed the overgrown alleyway into a clean space. With more upgrades to come including safety features and a mural this alleyway will become a highlight of the town. We are excited to partner on this project with 1653 Foundation and the Huntington Arts Council in beautifying our neighborhoods.”

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.