By Karenlyn Barone
"I would be in favor of a hotel in Lynbrook. Go ahead, reduce my taxes," said longtime resident James Montgomery who attended the meeting with his wife. "I like this. I am absolutely in favor of this project."
Browning presented a plan for one hotel to be constructed on Lynbrook parking field No. 8, at the northeast corner of St. James Place and Earle Avenue. Plans include an attached parking facility that would run along Stauderman Avenue. The original plans for an additional hotel and two other parking structures have been scrapped by the developer, after a negative audience reaction at previous public meetings.
"It kills me to do this, but the other project is gone," said Browning referring to the previously proposed Hilton Homewood Suites. "We cut back the project to a minimal size. This is 40 percent smaller than what was originally presented."
Addressing residents' concerns that the hotel might at some point be turned into lower-end housing should the hotel fail, the proposed Courtyard by Marriott will offer nothing more than a continental breakfast, and there will not be any cooking facilities in the guest rooms.
"Guests will get breakfast at the hotel, but then eat in Lynbrook," said one resident. "That means they're spending money in Lynbrook. That's good!"
Bob Becker was concerned with aesthetics of the building, since he owns property across from the proposed site.
"Are you telling me I will like what I see when I look out my window" he asked Browning. "Absolutely" was Browning's response. The facade has not been determined, but Browning said it would be something with a "Georgetown look - a quaint look."
Browning unveiled his downsized plans in an exclusive interview with the Herald last week, but this was the first public meeting. Hosted by Lynbrook Republican Party President Bill Gaylor, Jr., the meeting was the third in a series of discussions Browning has encouraged to present a project that is palatable to the community.
"I keep revising it, because I am listening to the residents," said Browning. Some accommodations he has made are an entrance and exit exclusively on Stauderman Avenue, so as not to interfere with the firehouse or nearby church. These were both in response to residents' expressed concerns.
"I don't think this sounds so bad," said Bridget Atkinson, who was skeptical when she learned of the first, bigger project, now satisfied to know the plans have been scaled down. "Marriott is a good name and they operate a fine hotel."
Browning assured the crowd of more than 50 residents that he would not only be the developer, but the owner/operator of the hotel as well. He estimated construction would take about 10 months.
"The first project was undoable," said resident Brian Bracchia. "This is now night and day. You're still getting tax revenue, it will generate income to the merchants of the village and if we're going to have a hotel, at least we will get a five-star hotel."
Bracchia, who also attended the meeting for the original project, said, "That parking lot is dead space, anyway. All the residents' concerns were addressed by the developer. At this point, I am absolutely in favor of it."
Browning said he will continue to hold public meetings and he is more than willing to produce a scale model of the project.
"Call me," he told the crowd as it dispersed. "Every time someone calls, I learn something. I try not to bring forward a project that will fail. If you don't tell me, I don't know."
Comments about this story? Kbarone@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 Ext. 202
