By:Jacky Gerzema
Phase one of facade program complete
Grand Avenue businesses near Merrick Road have a new and improved look thanks to the Town of Hempstead's facade improvement program. Driving east down Grand Avenue from Sunrise Highway North of Merrick Road, a large section of brand-new storefronts and facades may catch drivers' attention, and, many people hope, increase downtown business in Baldwin.
The facade improvement project was proposed about a year-and- a-half ago and construction began June 15, said a spokesperson from Councilman Anthony Santino's office. The project concluded shortly before Nov. 1 at a total cost of $221,392.
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Rich Guardino said that he expects a bump to the local economy because of the improvements. "More residents will now shop in their own downtown area rather than going to the nearest mall," he said.
The improvements not only help businesses, but benefit the community as a whole, Councilman Santino said. Homeowners in areas that have had similar renovations provided by the Town of Hempstead have expressed increased pride and satisfaction with their town, he said.
Businesses included in the project were Carpet Craft, Baldwin Lanes, Billiards and Sports Bar, a barber shop and a professional office center including Weinstein Optical, Irving Perlman Law Offices and M-J Insurance Agency. Despite some initial controversy about the cost of the renovation to businesses, the final bill was split evenly between business owners and the Town.
Business owners were instrumental in choosing the design and color of their storefronts, which include crisp light beige, stucco-style facades with brightly colored business signs.
Bashir Shirzay, owner of Carpet Craft, was heavily involved with the project from the beginning and worked to reduce the cost by 40 percent by using different materials.
"I wasn't satisfied with the original plan's price and I personally reduced prices for every tenant and changed the original design. The Town of Hempstead accepted my design and went with it. The one you see now was all me," said Shirzay.
Pete Slavska, day shift manager of Baldwin Lanes Bowling Center, said he is happy about the new improvements, which he believes will give a lift to his business.
"This is a bowling center, not a bowling alley," Slavska said. "People always associate bowling with seedy buildings and fat men drinking beer, looking up women's skirts as they bowl. That's why the sport will never gain the prestige of golf or other sports. We host a lot of events for kids and families as well. As you can see, our center has an arcade and it's clean.... I think the storefront reflects that."
Arlene Hughes, a bookkeeper at Weinstein Optical, loves the new facades.
"I think it's wonderful," Hughes said. "I love the coloring. I was visiting Bellmore and their shopping district looks lovely."
Hughes added that Baldwin needs more diversity in its retail businesses. "I do hope we get some more shops here, though, because there isn't a thing to buy. They say to 'shop in Baldwin,' but so what? I can't buy a pair of shoes or stockings anywhere. Between the Chinese food and pizza places, we need more stores."
While Hughes appreciates the improved facades, she, like several other citizens interviewed, dislikes the view across the street, a strip of businesses whose storefronts are mismatched and somewhat rundown.
"I think it's great here, but I can't look at the other side," she said. "I hope they make some improvements over there as well."
Residents say the new look will encourage them to bring their business downtown. Christopher Turcken, who was shopping on Grand Avenue between the Baldwin Public Library and Merrick Road, said, "It looks so new and refinished, I'd definitely be drawn to shop there, before I even looked at the store signs."
While the storefronts are complete, another phase of the project will include installation of stylized streetlights, benches, brick walkways and the planting of additional trees in the same vicinity.
