Rejuvenating the Hewlett-Woodmere business district

Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association President Jamie Wysocki said that merchants in both communities called and sent letters for the past two years to Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano’s office calling for Broadway to be repaired.

Apparently Nassau officials paid attention to the group’s request as the county’s Department of Public Works began a road-resurfacing project earlier last month. “The community voiced its opinion and asked that the road be improved,” said Mike Martino, the department’s spokesman.

The resurfacing project, which costs $500,000, aims to make Broadway safer for drivers and pedestrians and should be completed in the next few weeks, weather permitting, Martino said.

Wysocki said potholes, uneven pavement and water pooling from clogged drains were just some of the problems along Broadway. “We believe they got the hint,” she said of the business association’s letters and phone calls. “To have allowed those problems to worsen could have caused greater damage and a more extensive project, both time and cost wise. “It’s our first step towards a new Hewlett-Woodmere.”

The Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association was formed through a merger of Hewlett Business Association and the Woodmere Merchants Association that was formalized earlier this year.

Saud Ansari, owner of Five Towns Pharmacy, located at 1019 Broadway in Woodmere, thinks the roadwork will make the area look better and he hopes more businesses will set up shop in Woodmere. “Once it’s done it might help businesses,” he said. “I’m hoping people come back to shop here because many businesses have been suffering because of the economy so this is a positive sign.”

Alan Hartstein, a member of the board of directors for the H-W-BA, said he’s noticed some of the vacant stores being rented, including like Lavan Couture salon, a bridal and evening gown shop, which opened July 15.

“Once the stores are rented and rejuvenation starts, it will be easier for people to get around,” he said. “If you look around, some businesses have been rented and other buildings are in the process of being cleaned up so they’re more appealing. Landlords are also asking more questions about how to get more tenants in the area. We need other things to be done but this is a good start.”

Following the road repair, Wysocki said the next item on the business association’s agenda is to have the parking rules enforced by the Fourth Precinct. “A large factor to the parking concerns our district has is that the parking rules are not enforced,” she said.

“Consider this an early warning to those who have gotten used to leaving their vehicle for hours in a 15-, 30- or 90-minute spot. Local residents, shoppers and storeowners may have to start reading the signs and walking a block or two to get to their destination,” Wysocki added.