The Town of Hempstead, who is spearheading the project along with the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, signed a contract in early October with real estate developers Engel Burman Group and Basser Kaufman, who are working cooperatively to revitalize the area by bringing in thriving retail, restaurant, and service businesses.
The developer is currently doing an environmental assessment of the property, which stretches from the Baldwin Fire Department headquarters down to Merrick Road and west to Gale Avenue. Pending completion of ongoing negotiations with current landlords in that area, the developer will likely begin the heavy work of demolishing current buildings and erecting new ones in early 2009.
Rumors have surfaced about popular book stores Barnes and Noble or Borders coming to the area, though town officials have not confirmed that. However, they did say that the plan is to have one major store be the main attraction on a strip of other smaller, yet reputable businesses.
