By Anthony Rifilato
Over the past seven years, Jean said, the regulars have grown close to her and her employees. Many of her clients are from Baldwin, she said, but others come from across Long Island as well as the five boroughs.
But Jean, and other business owners who operate in an area that is slated for demolition to make way for a Town of Hempstead redevelopment project, have felt the effects of the much publicized plan. Since she will be forced to relocate, Jean explained, she is unable to promote or invest in her business. And some of her customers, she said, are wary of becoming too close to beauticians who won't be in the area much longer, and are not returning.
"I think it's a wonderful project," Jean told the town board at a public hearing for the project on Nov. 13, "but it's hurting my business. People don't want to go to a place that they know won't be there."
Jean was one of many business owners and landlords who attended last week's public hearing, at which the town approved an urban renewal plan for Grand Avenue and Merrick Road (see front page story).
The town will soon begin condemnation proceedings for the project, although town officials have pledged from the beginning that tenants and businesses would be assisted every step of the way. Charles Theofan, the commissioner of planning and economic development, said that the town would follow the federal Uniform Relocation Act, which provides standards for compensating people displaced from their homes or businesses by state and local government programs.
Some, like Jean, said they would be hurt by the project, and looked to the board for some reassurance. "We will work very hard with you to find a location as close as possible, so you can keep your clientele," Theofan told her, adding that he would meet with tenants very soon.
According to the law, 90 days' notice must be given to businesses and tenants to vacate, and they must be given advisory services and reimbursed for moving expenses and the added cost of renting or purchasing comparable housing. Theofan said tenants would be given much more time than that to vacate, although he said it was too early to say when they would be given notice. He has been communicating with businesses and tenants, he said, and keeping them informed about the project.
Since many tenants are Hispanic, the town said it has also retained bilingual specialists to assist them.
Theofan said that in most cases, tenants would be relocated to better residences. "We have been working with many property owners in that district," he said. "When the project is finished, every owner and tenant can say that they've been treated fairly by the Town of Hempstead. That's one of my main goals."
Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby asked Theofan about the relocation process. He explained that every tenant and property owner who approached the town to inquire about the project was given a full explanation, and now that plans had been finalized, the town would begin overseeing the relocation of tenants and businesses, "to scrupulously make sure that every residential tenant gets the full benefits provided by law."
Many business owners, including those in the blight study but not slated for demolition, praised what is expected to be an influx of quality retail stores and businesses. Steve Sciortino, owner of Delicious Moments Caterers on Merrick Road, said he favored the project, and was assured by the town that his property would not be taken for it. "We thought Baldwin would be an ideal place to raise our family and do business," said Sciortino, whose store has been in Baldwin for five years. He said he is looking to expand it, and is "looking forward to working with the town and developer."
Howard Gainsburg, owner of Baldwin Kitchen & Bath Designs, said he was happy the town lived up to its promise by choosing developers - Basser Kaufman and Engel Burman - that would include him in the project. "My family and I are hoping that the promise will be fulfilled," Gainsburg said.
Other landlords and business owners were less than enthusiastic. One, Nick Guiliano, who owns a vacant auto parts store on Merrick Road, said he has had nothing but headaches and financial issues since the town announced the project early last year. Guiliano sold his auto parts business three years ago, and said he was in contract to sell his building. But when the town announced the project, he said, the buyer reneged. He was also sued, he said, after the buyer claimed that Guiliano did not fully disclose the project. Guiliano said the deal was negotiated before the town announced the plan, and that he has been forced to pay thousands in legal fees and taxes.
"Not only did I not sell the property, I now have a vacant building," he said. "Any time I had a prospective renter, it would fall through. I think the project is great for the area, but it's unfortunate that some of us are suffering."
Property owners are promised the fair market value of their properties, although, Theofan said, the developers could negotiate privately with landlords. Guiliano said he hopes for a fair deal. "We look forward to working with the property owners, the town and Theofan's office," said Steven Krieger of Engel Burman. "Everybody seems to be happy with this urban renewal project, and we look forward to it."
Others said that there was a lack of communication by the town, and some landlords said they received no notification about the project. Tariq Khan, who owns six stores and apartments on Grand Avenue, said he has had little communication with the town and that many of his tenants left without paying rent.
Although the appraisal process was completed earlier this year, Theofan said that until the project was official, the town could not make deals with property owners. Now, however, the process will be initiated after a development agreement is reached with the developers in about six weeks, Theofan said.
After the hearing, Jean said she hopes the process doesn't take long. "I have invested so much in my business, and I want to re-locate to a place that is good for my business," she said. "I hope to be fully informed about what's going on because we have to readjust our lives, and it disrupts our business."
Dana Williams contributed to this story. Comments about it? Baldwineditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 207.
Photos By Dana Williams/Herald
