By Karen Cirino-Barone
"The delay in project completion was due to leasing," said Lynbrook Building Superintendent Lou Bello. "Instead of building to retail speculation, the owners wanted to build for specific use."
Property owners, Broadway Associates, were unwilling to lay the floors without signed tenants and specific floor plans for the retail stores, halting construction to a dead stop for nearly a month. The location of kitchens, bathrooms and work areas, are the primary concerns before laying a floor. Having specific floor plans spares the builder re-modeling before the businesses open. Now that all three stores have been leased, village officials are optimistic that construction will pick up again.
The three businesses slated to open in the building are Shake-A-Paw, a pet store chain with a location in Hicksville, Stone Cold Creamery, a Scottsdale, Ariz. based franchise ice cream store and a sandwich shop.
Bello anticipates the construction will be complete in February or March. While frustrated with the delays, Bello said the more important thing is to make sure the building is a good addition to the downtown area. He continues to work closely with the building contractor, Constantine Fotos of Fotos Construction of Brooklyn and architects, Wax and Ferraro of Cedarhurst to ensure the building meets all requirements.
"This is an important building," said Bello. "It needs to be functional as well as pretty."
Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce President Bill Gaylor said the whole project has been very frustrating.
"Bello is responsible for implementing building rules and regulations but, this situation is very distressful," said Gaylor. "The building should have been finished before the holiday season. The chamber of commerce supported Broadway Associates regarding variances for the sight, yet they have not worked expeditiously to complete the building."
Downtown area shoppers echoed Gaylor's sentiment.
"I can't wait until this building is finished," said a shopper on Atlantic Avenue that did not want to be identified. "It's been unfinished for way too long."
Broadway Associates and Fotos Construction did not return the Herald's calls as of press time.
