Monday, May 19, 2025
After more than 35 years as a fixture in the Baldwin community, the Cecere Family Funeral Home will leave its longtime location on Grand Avenue to make way for a new residential development.
The funeral home announced the move in a recent Facebook post, citing its participation in the Baldwin Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which includes a planned 54-unit apartment complex on the site.
“We will be sharing space with the Donza Family and will continue to serve our community with the same personal service, dignity and grace we have been known for three generations,” the post said, referring to the Donza Funeral Home in East Rockaway “Although there is sadness, the downtown revitalization and beautification of Beautiful Baldwin is underway and we are proud to be a small part of that.”
The building at 2283 Grand Ave. was builtin 1903. Owner Michael Cecere told the Herald that the facility has become “unmanageable” due to increasing maintenance and operational costs.
The relocation comes as part of Baldwin’s ongoing revitalization, a vision set in motion in 2019 with a $10 million state grant. The initiative aims to transform the area into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly and economically resilient downtown.
According to the Town of Hempstead website, the Town Board approved the site plan for the new development at its April 8 meeting. The project, submitted by attorney Gregory Alvarez on behalf of Jaep Properties LLC, includes a four-story multifamily apartment building with a ground-floor parking garage, office space and other amenities.
The plan, prepared by engineer Zachary Chaplin, offer detailed specifications for the proposed structures. In its resolution, the board determined that the project would be in the public interest.
Despite understanding the project’s goals, some community members expressed sadness on Facebook about the closure.
“We’re really grateful for the support we have received from the community,” Michael Cecere said. “We are still serving the Baldwin community, and as sad as it is to lose a building like that, we are optimistic for what is to come for the community.”
The planned apartment building is one of several in the broader redevelopment plan. Another, The Grand at Baldwin — a $106 million project by Breslin Realty — will replace a former car storage facility at the southeast corner of Sunrise Highway and Grand Avenue with a five-story building. Baldwin Commons, a $16 million project by Park Grove Realty and the Community Development Corporation of Long Island, will transform an auto storage yard at 785 Merrick Road into a four-story complex with 33 workforce-housing units. The application process for Baldwin Commons opened earlier this year.
Community leaders have voiced optimism about the changes. “We had the opportunity to learn about and comment on the original design, and actually brokered a conversation between the developers and members of the immediate community,” Kimberly Malone, president of the Baldwin Civic Association, said. “We think it can help to bring new life to the area, which we believe can help support local business growth.”
