Hempstead town board adopts Albanese Development proposal for Baldwin downtown revitalization project

Fifteen months after the recession forced Basser Kaufman and the Engel Burman Group to withdraw plans to revitalize downtown Baldwin, the Hempstead town board has adopted a proposal from a second developer, Albanese Development, to create a retail/residential mix in Baldwin's struggling business district. 

The developer was unanimously approved by the town board at an April 13 public hearing and will take on the massive urban renewal project on the west side of Grand Avenue, beginning just south of Baldwin Fire Department headquarters and wrapping around Merrick Road to Gale Avenue. 

"It's a long time coming," said Town Councilman Anthony Santino, who represents Baldwin and has spearheaded plans to revitalize the downtown since 2006. "This urban revitalization program will really be a major, major turning point in Baldwin."

Albanese Development — a key contributor in the revitalization of Garden City's downtown — is looking to build four stories of primarily one-bedroom apartments on top of one story of retail shops and restaurants. The apartments are billed as high-end yet affordable for local young professionals, with rents between $1,200 and $1,400 a month. Some two-bedroom apartments are also part of the plan. The building — which would occupy the entire area between Baldwin Fire Department headquarters and Gale Avenue  — would have a 24-hour resident superintendent. 

Russell Albanese, president of Albanese Development, said he was confident that Baldwin's blighted downtown could be transformed into an area where residents and visitors alike will want to shop and dine. "We feel that this project will be a catalyst for future development within the Baldwin area," Albanese said. "One of our main goals is to create a sense of place in the community. We believe it's very important in Baldwin and to introduce housing for the next generation.