By ANGELA MARSHALL
Baldwin business owners were given what they considered to be more bad news about the future of the facade project on Grand Avenue during their monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 17. They learned that not only have delays pushed the construction start back to spring or summer of 2001, but that renovations of landscape, lighting and sidewalks are not part of the project.
The program is a joint venture between the Town of Hempstead and business owners on Grand Avenue between Merrick Road and the Baldwin Public Library. Half the cost will be paid from grants given to the town by the state and other agencies, and half will be paid for by the store owners in the form of a low-interest loan.
Despite statements made by Town Supervisor Richard Guardino prior to the November 1999 election that the facade project was "eight months from actual construction," bids for the project did not go out until September 29, 2000. Although bids were scheduled to be closed on October 24, Bob Francis, town commissioner of economic planning, said they probably would be extended to November 10.
Mr. Francis also said that the town's engineers have asked for more details to be added to the plans. But, he said, the approximately two weeks it would take to add the details would not stretch the construction-start deadline back any further.
Doris Duffy, of the Chamber of Commerce's Downtown Development Committee, said she and other members of the Chamber are "very concerned" about the future of the project.
"It was my hope that the Town of Hempstead would give proper due to Baldwin as they have to other communittes," said fellow Chamber member Mary Leake. "We are tired of hearing political spin. We want an action plan."
"These things were promised to us," Ms. Duffy said of the sidewalks, landscaping and lighting. They are depicted in drawings provided by the town, and Ms. Duffy pointed out there is no legend stating that they are not part of the project. "I hope that [the town] finds the money."
In the past, Commissioner Francis said, the county has always been brought in to provide these features. Mr. Francis said the town has enough money to "comfortably" pay for its half of refacing the five businesses affected on Grand Avenue. He said the town would look to the state and other agencies for funding to provide the extras, but made no promises.
As for complaints that the project is overdue, the commissioner said that two years is not a long time for such a project and used one being done in Merrick as an example. He said that that project has been in the works for two or three years and is still not completed.
However, mention of the Merrick project was also a sore spot for Baldwin business owners who believe that Mr. Francis said the town gave funds allocated for Baldwin to Merrick. Mr. Francis called that a misunderstanding. "I never said that at all."
According to the commissioner, there are 13 total facade projects, and five are currently in various stages of work, all of which are receiving funding. This year, the town received $225,000 for facade projects. "That was not designated at all for Baldwin," he said, adding that portions are being used for all projects.
Mr. Francis believes that some residents are confusing the town's facade project with Nassau County's Operation Downtown, which he said was announced long before the facade program and never materialized.
Nassau County Legislator Joseph Scannell said that before his taking office, no one had applied for Operation Downtown funding, which is used to rejuvenate communities. "It was really kind of shocking to me that no one had approached the county for Operation Downtown money," he said.
Legislator Scannell said that after he was elected, he approached Don Chambell, who was the commissioner of housing for Nassau County, and started the process to bring money to Baldwin.
At least one business owner has sold his store for reasons he attributes to the failure of either government agency to move forward with its plans. John Radin, former owner of All Seasons Sportarama, said he closed his business because the area has disintegrated because of unkept promises. "They're blowing smoke rings," he said. "It's disgraceful."
Bashir Shirzay, owner of Carpet Craft on the corner of Merrick Road and Grand Avenue, is also discouraged by the delay. When he opened his business, he planned to do improvements to his building but kept putting it off because of the program. "This has been so frustrating," Mr. Shirzay said. "I want to see something in writing."
Business owners also wondered why Town Councilman Anthony Santino, who is up for reelection, did not attend the meeting. When contacted, Mr. Santino said he arranged for Mr. Francis to attend and that he had been briefed at an earlier meeting.
The Chamber began a letter-writing campaign last month to pressure the town into finishing the facade project. The Chamber continues to request that all residents write to Supervisor Richard Guardino, Town of Hempstead, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York 11550.
