By:Laura Lane
Valk can't complain to the Fieldses anymore, however, because they were recently bought out by partner Bronstein Properties.
The mall, between Hewlett and Merrick avenues, includes Stop & Shop, CVS and many smaller stores. It has been a target of many complaints over the years from civic groups and residents. But when the Fieldses bought the mall, they promised improvements.
"There's no safe way for a pedestrian to get into the mall, since there's no break in the fence," said Valk, who lives across the street from Chatterton Elementary School. "And there's always garbage in the mall's lot, and when the winds pick up, the bags end up on my property."
Steve Fields cited many reasons for the decision to sell out. "As a landlord, I've never experienced a property where there's so many complaints and additional work," Fields said. He and his wife own 10 other large properties, most of which are on Long Island. "I had someone sweeping there every day, and I had it washed down," Fields said. "I found that residents that complained also created the problem."
Fields said he made many improvements to the mall. "I got rid of Escapes, which closed in October, got Stop & Shop to expand, and the Merrick Diner is being renovated, the laundromat was converted, and Carvel also renovated," he said. "In general, the property is fine, and now it's fully leased. I try to buy properties and improve them, and then move on."
Barry Fox, president of the Merrick Park Home Owners Association, doesn't believe the Fieldses made any improvements. "Fields came in and continued to run the mall the way it was before, which is neglect," Fox said. "Anyone who sees it can see it's unkempt. And I don't see any improvements; it's just been allowed to deteriorate further."
Fields said Fox contacted him when he bought the mall, and then called or wrote to complain every three months. "We painted, did nice landscaping, put a tree in the front and added to the planters, but still found people weren't satisfied," Fields said. "I'm happy to get out of Barry's hair."
Fields said that Barry Rudofsky, the mall's new manager, mentioned that he planned to make additional improvements. Rudofsky couldn't be reached for comment. "He wants to make it more beautiful, but I discouraged him," Fields said. "The real-estate taxes are over a half a million a year, and it's run down. It's hard for a landlord to rationalize putting money into property like this when taxes are so high already."
But Fields added, "Stop & Shop should be expanding in six months to a year. They'll enclose an alcove area where Escapes was and CVS to make it part of the grocery store. The shopping center may get a face-lift then."
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