The New Cassel Visioning Process is a collaborative effort among Sustainable Long Island, a "smart growth" advocacy and technical assistance provider, the Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation, a local community – based development organization, the Town of North Hempstead, the Town of North Hempstead Community Development Agency,and the residents of New Cassel. Begun in July 2002 with a five-day "charrette" that drew

approximately 800 New Cassel residents, government officials, and other community stakeholders, a “Vision Plan” was formulated and adopted in the early Spring of 2003 establishing mixed-use development, a pedestrian-friendly, walkable community, and the development of attractive and inviting public spaces as the guiding principles in the revitalization of the area. Following the adoption by the North Hempstead Town Board of the New Cassel Urban Renewal Plan and zoning changes along Prospect Avenue during the summer and fall of 2004, the Town, the Agency, Nassau County and Sustainable Long Island spearheaded a request for proposals for the redevelopment of seven sites along Prospect and Union Avenues in October, 2003. Approval of redevelopment proposals for each of these sites, and for a pilot site, is expected to result in the investment of approximately $60 million and the development of approximately 220 apartments, an urban park, and 45,000 square feet of retail space, including a bank, a pharmacy, and a supermarket.