Town may seek new bids with RFP � just in case
By MIKE RUSSO
Though Town of Hempstead officials are still negotiating with a developer looking to complete Baldwin's downtown revitalization project with a Kohl's department store, they are also preparing a request for proposals in order to have other options if the Kohl's deal does not work out.
The latest RFP, which would be the second in five years released by the town, seeking developers for the massive urban renewal plan at the corner of Grand Avenue and Merrick Road, is being described as "wide open" because, officials said, they would consider any proposal, not just those that are business-oriented. According to Senior Councilman Anthony Santino, the Kohl's proposal is still a possibility, but the town board has a responsibility to prepare for the worst-case scenario by having alternative plans in place.
Santino said that a Kohl's is still the most viable option, since the project's developer, the Blumenfeld Group, is the only entity currently negotiating with the town, but any proposal is welcome, as long as it would be a good fit for Baldwin. "If Kohl's comes in, we're going to go with Kohl's," Santino said. "We just need to have some kind of backup."
Though he acknowledged the challenges of releasing an RFP in the current economy, Santino said the town remains committed to completing the project. "The town's persevering," he said. �[Supervisor] Kate Murray and I have a commitment to Baldwin and we're going to fulfill that commitment. We're not going to sit and rest for the economy to get better. We have a commitment to getting that area cleaned up."
Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Co-President Ginny Foley said she was happy to hear that the town may explore alternatives to the Kohl's proposal, because Chamber officials have long opposed a single big-box store, particularly Kohl's. "It's great," Foley said of the possible release of the RFP. "A majority of the [Chamber] board members feel that Kohl's was not the right fit. We'd rather wait and do it right this time."
Resident Jamie Cepler, who just received a master's in urban planning from SUNY Albany, said he was not too optimistic about the results of an RFP in a struggling economy, and believes that the current businesses at Grand and Merrick should be allowed to stay for the time being. Cepler said that bringing non-business tenants in first may entice stores to the area in the future.
"What about something that more people might be interested in, such as a community center or recreation center?" Cepler suggested. "It would complement the library, and provide a valuable service to the public. The traffic generated by such a place would help the local businesses and possibly help to convince more to move there."
Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
