By Anthony Rifilato
, with many saying that the plan is wrong for a redevelopment project in downtown Baldwin, since it would rely on a single retailer.
Earlier this month, Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino revealed that the town had received three proposals from developers vying for its Grand Avenue revitalization project, one of which calls for a Kohl's to occupy what is now a municipal parking lot, with parking in front of the store, just off Grand. Santino said that the chain had expressed a great deal of interest in the project.
"It's not a done deal, although they're dying to come," Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Co-President Ginny Foley said at last week's chamber meeting, where members discussed the Kohl's proposal and expressed their dissatisfaction. "We're hoping to have better alternatives, with smaller stores, stores that we like," Foley said. "It's a box store and not what we envisioned."
Of the three proposals, one, submitted by Blumenfeld Development Group, includes a Kohl's, while the others - from Breslin Realty Development Group and Basser-Kaufman/Engel Berman - include a mix of retail stores. The town is reviewing the proposals, and a developer is expected to be chosen by the end of the year.
Chamber members praised town officials for keeping an open mind and working with the chamber as the project moves forward. Some said that they shop at the Kohl's on Long Beach Road in Oceanside, adding that it is not necessarily Kohl's that they are opposed to, but rather having the entire project consist of one large retailer. The revitalization project, members said, is supposed to create a viable, "walkable" downtown.
Chamber members said they would urge town officials to consider other proposals, which call for a mix of anchor tenants and smaller retail shops. They said they feared that shoppers would come to Kohl's, do their shopping, pack up their purchases and then leave the area, which is not the goal of the project, members said.
"It's not the idea of Kohl's, it's the idea of having one store," said chamber member Doug Diana after the meeting. "What we have said from the beginning is that the retail mix on that location is what's important, one that will bring people there. One store is not the answer."
The redevelopment project was announced last year, and is being touted by town officials as a way of making downtown Baldwin a "destination spot," with a mix of nationally known retailers. At meetings and in interviews, Santino and Town Supervisor Kate Murray have stressed that the purpose of the project is to fill a niche in Baldwin - but not with pharmacies, fast-food restaurants and nail salons.
At the chamber meeting, Co-President Doris Duffy referred to a demographic study released in 2000, sponsored by the chamber and the town, that found that the Baldwin community was interested in having an old-fashioned, pedestrian-friendly downtown. The concept includes a mix of retail stores along a stretch of Grand Avenue that the town deemed blighted in 2005, and would acquire through eminent domain and turn over to a developer.
"Our goal is the renovation of that area in order to give businesses a shot in the arm," Duffy said. "One large store would deaden the area and not encourage people to walk. It's just not a great spot for it."
Earlier this month, Santino acknowledged that the Kohl's proposal raised some concerns among residents, most notably that if something were to go wrong with the project, it would result in a huge empty building on the corner. Last week, Santino said he was aware of the tepid reception from residents, and emphasized that no decision has been made.
"The town hasn't made a decision yet, and we have three very good proposals on the table," he said. "The town continues to be in touch with the chamber and other groups. I have heard the thoughts and concerns of the chamber."
Santino said he expects a developer to be chosen before the end of the year, and added that the concerns of the chamber and other groups would factor into that choice. "We're going to weigh all three proposals and choose what we think will be the biggest bang for the buck for Baldwin," he said. "One that is aesthetically pleasing, will bring in retail shopping and have a positive impact throughout the Baldwin community. The Kohl's proposal is only one out of three very good proposals."
Or perhaps less than "very good," most seem to agree. "Aesthetically, it's not pleasing," Duffy said of Kohl's. "It's one big brown box. We'd like to make that area look different."
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