By Anthony Rifilato
At a press conference on Jan. 31, Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Town Councilman Anthony Santino said that they would present the recommendations of the study to the town board later this month.
They explained that the study is the first step in revitalizing downtown Baldwin. "Clearly, I believe this area is ripe for economic revitalization," said Murray.
The study, commissioned in August, focused on approximately five acres, including the western side of Grand Avenue, near Merrick Road, and a few parcels south of Prospect Street. Completed by White Plains-based planning and development consultants Saccardi and Schiff, the study found that 50 percent of the storefronts in the area are vacant, and uncovered various deteriorated conditions and inadequate maintenance, among other issues.
The state of Grand Avenue, Murray and Santino said, has negatively impacted Baldwin's downtown. "We have a struggling commercial storefront area that is in need of help," said Murray.
Members of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, who have been working to attract new businesses to the area for years, lauded the initiative. "We look forward to the beneficial redevelopment here," said chamber Co-President Ginny Foley.
If the town board adopts the study, a redevelopment plan would include the condemnation of some properties. Murray and Santino also said that the endeavor would be linked to a county proposal to return Nunley's Carousel to that neighborhood, and that they have been in talks with county officials, including County Executive Tom Suozzi, about the plan.
"Councilman Santino and I will work with the county ... and welcome proposals that would include Nunley's Carousel as part of a redevelopment plan," said Murray. "We've spoken specifically about Nunley's. Nunley's Carousel is a key part of Baldwin's identity."
Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin) echoed those sentiments after the press conference. "It's two levels of government working together to make Baldwin a better place," said Scannell.
Santino said that this stretch of Grand Avenue should be bustling with quality shops and businesses. "This is going to be a tremendous shot in the arm for downtown Baldwin," he said.
Still, residents said they have heard talk of revitalizing Grand Avenue many times before, including a plan to build a new 1st Precinct there, which was nixed after a number of years. Some expressed skepticism about the town's plans. Residents and business owners could be overheard before the press conference saying that town and county officials had better deliver this time around, and that they hoped any plans for revitalization were not all talk.
But Santino assured the crowd that things are different this time. "The area has been talked about for a long time," he said when asked how this plan differs from past initiatives. "This project is real. It's going to happen. It's not just more talk."
A tour of empty storefronts and existing businesses
With a number of residents and business owners in tow, town officials toured the area, passing numerous empty storefronts in the bitter cold and rain.
Some businesses are still in operation, however. Tour participants walked past a spa and a youth care center, as well as Papa Doc's bar, a Spanish deli, a psychic shop and the Mambo Café, among others.
Murray and Santino stood beneath a decrepit storefront and spoke to reporters and residents about the plan. "This is something the town needs," said chamber member Doug Diana. "I think [the Town of Hempstead] will make it work for everyone. Something like this happens once in a lifetime."
Others said that it didn't take a study to figure out that the area has been neglected for far too long. Pedro Carreno, who owns a building across the street near the bowling alley, explained that potential businesses have stayed away from the area as a result. "Nobody wants to rent here," said Carreno. "They look across the street and no one wants to take it."
Carreno said he is thinking of selling his building, but hopes the town's initiative helps turn things around. "Of course it will change things," he said.
Because the town has the right to condemn and redevelop blighted areas under state law, some business owners expressed concern, and wanted to know how their businesses would be affected by such a plan. "I'd like to see them redevelop Baldwin," said Howard Gainsburg, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and owner of Baldwin Kitchen and Bath Designs, at 795 Grand Ave. "I just don't want to see my business, after 76 years, be torn down."
Murray and Santino said that they would involve businesses in the project, and promised that those who had to be relocated would have help. "We're going to bend over backwards for residents and businesses," said Santino.
He explained that the proposal, if adopted, could become reality in 18 months to two years.
And because the Town of Hempstead is empowered to redevelop blighted areas, the project would not affect taxpayers, Murray said. "It's a win-win situation," she concluded.
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