They’ll keep taking swings

After roughly 18 months of worrying about the possible closure of his nearly 40-year-old business, Marty Rosen has reached a compromise with the New York State Department of Transportation to keep open the Five Towns Mini-Golf and Batting Range, on Rockaway Turnpike in Lawrence.

In December 2015, Rosen, who runs the seasonal business with his son Matt, received a letter from the DOT informing them that the monthly rent was being increased from $4,750 to $12,435, a 160 percent jump, to reflect the latest DOT appraisal of the land’s value. Now, after a year of wrangling with DOT officials, the rent boost will be only 35 percent to $6,412.50, per month.

“This effectively means we’re still in business and we can provide good, clean family entertainment for the community, as we have always brought to the community,” Marty said. “We hope to do so for many more years.”

In addition to the batting range — baseball and softball — and the mini-golf, there is a paintball shooting range and an arcade, a concession stand and vending machines.

There is also a door that highlights the major league ballplayers who have visited. Seven members of the 1986 World Series champion Mets, including the Most Valuable Player, Ray Knight.

Incensed that the DOT would so drastically raise their rent, the Rosens contacted local elected officials and created an online petition. As of press time on Tuesday, there were 2,667 online supporters, with many writing how much the batting range means to them. The business is on state-owned land and operates on a 30-day licensing agreement.

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat who represents the Five Towns, was one of four elected officials who supported the Rosens, and backed their contention that the DOT was overvaluing the property and that the rent increase would most likely put them out of business.

“Small businesses are the heart of our local economies,” Kaminsky said. “I was glad to help facilitate this compromise so that the Five Towns Mini-Golf and Batting Range can continue to serve the community.”

Jim Vilardi, a Hewlett resident and a property appraiser, conducted the research that helped the DOT and the Rosens reach what Marty called an “amicable agreement.” Vilardi noted how difficult it is to run a small business and said he was “thrilled” with the outcome.

“I think it’s a great result,” he said. “I hope that this will illustrate to a lot of local businesses how we could be helpful.” He referred to the “team” of elected officials that included Kaminsky, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach), County Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) and Phil Goldfeder, a Queens Democrat and former assemblyman, who also supported the Rosens.

“Every business faces challenges and hurdles,” Vilardi said. “All local businesses should reach out to people to find some help so they can prosper that is my takeaway from this.”

While awaiting the DOT decision, the Rosens opened in March as they have done since 1978. Despite a rainy April and a cooler-than-usual May, Marty was upbeat. “It was a long and an arduous process,” he said. “Special thanks to all our valued customers who took the time to sign our petition and left moving and supportive comments.”

After the Rosens posted an announcement of the agreement on Facebook, fans of the business also commented. “Truly great news,” wrote Woodmere resident Felice Balsam. “So glad they will be able to continue serving the community they have been an integral part of for so very long!”