By Andrew Hackmack
The project, Sun Valley Condominiums, was approved by the zoning board in 2007 for the southeast corner of Brooklyn and Rockaway avenues, and Sunrise Highway. It is well known as the site of an adult store, Xpressions, that was evicted in 2005.
While the grant money would go to the developer, 363 Rockaway Associates, the village must make the request. "There's really no cost to us in doing it, but we have to be the applicant as a municipality," explained Village Clerk Vinny Ang.
The developer and the village will seek the funding through the Empire State Development Corporation's Restore New York Community Initiative, money that is targeted for revitalization efforts in downtown areas throughout the state.
Mike Sullivan, attorney for the developer, said that the project fits the grant's criteria. "It brings a reasonably upscale project into the heart of Valley Stream, right near the train station," he said. "I am confident that we meet all the parameters necessary to get the grant."
Sullivan said that a few stores remain in the buildings that will be demolished, and those businesses have the right to stay for a few more months. He anticipates that the demolition of the existing structures - four buildings in all - would begin this fall, and construction of the new five-story building would be completed a year later.
The project would have four stores, with a total of more than 10,000 square feet of retail space, on the first floor, and underground parking. There would be 64 apartments on the upper four floors - 40 one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedrooms. There would also be a pool, a barbecue area and a tennis court on the roof.
Ang explained that the village board created a special multi-use zone, which allows of mix of commercial and residential space, specifically for this project. He said that village officials are anticipating a revitalized corner and hope the grant will expedite construction. "Maybe that will get the project moving a little quicker," he said.
What made the project attractive to the village, Ang said, is the inclusion of housing, which brings people directly into Valley Stream's downtown. "The theory is if they live there, they're going to start shopping there," he said.
Tom Savino, a former village administrator in Westbury and one of the grant writers, estimated that 80 to 90 people would live in the building. "These people will have disposable income," he said. "They'll be shopping downtown."
His partner, Mike Oddo, said that a project like this typically attracts retirees or young professionals - people who would not burden the community's resources and likely would not have children in the schools.
The grant application process is very detailed, Oddo said. It must explain how the project will benefit the downtown area, increase housing availability and create both temporary and permanent jobs. This project, he said, would do all three, and increase the village's tax base as well. "The immediate benefit to the community will be the downtown pedestrian traffic," he said.
Oddo, a former deputy commissioner in the Town of Hempstead's Department of Planning and Economic Development, said he had successfully written a similar grant for $2.5 million for the Village of Hempstead, and two grants totaling nearly $3 million for Freeport.
Ang said he keeps track of grants that are available from the state and federal governments. When he learned about the Empire State funds, he recalled, he immediately called 363 Rockaway Associates. "They jumped at it, and I can't blame them," he said. "Whatever they get is a plus."
Sullivan said the building is expected to cost more than $20 million to construct, so any grant money would be the seed money for the project. A 25-year resident of Valley Stream, Sullivan said he hopes to see similar projects come to the village.
Mayor Ed Cahill described the corner as a "blight" and said he is looking forward to the construction of the new building. "This is part of the uplifting of Rockaway Avenue," he said. "It's really a plus for the village if you look at what's there now."
Because the site is so close to homes, churches and a school, Cahill said it is imperative that the corner be improved. It is also just on the other side of Sunrise Highway from the village's downtown, which is targeted for a revitalization project. Cahill said he believes the project would be a boost for businesses on both sides of Rockaway Avenue.
Plans must still be approved by the village's building department. The deadline for the grant application is May 4, and Oddo said he expected it to be submitted by the end of this week.
"We're hoping that the grant comes through for them," Cahill said. "I would like to see it move ahead."
Comments about this story? AHackmack@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
