By Dana Williams
The developer’s 150-unit, four-story complex, to be called the Alexan at West Hempstead, will feature a mixture of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, two levels of underground parking and a host of amenities. Now that the site plan has been approved, Trammell Crow representatives said, the next steps are to apply for permits, finalize engineering and architectural plans and obtain construction financing. The project, officials said, will take 15 to 18 months to complete, and construction is expected to begin in the fall.
“The state of the economy has affected many developers who are looking to get construction lending, but we’re confident that we will get the money we need for this project,” said Maria Rigopoulos, Trammell Crow’s vice president. “We’re a national developer and we have great relationships with the banks, so we’re very optimistic that the construction financing will soon be in place.”
After Town Supervisor Kate Murray announced on Nov. 13 that the town and Trammell Crow had reached an agreement to replace the Courtesy with “attractive, train-commuter-friendly rental apartments,” the Hempstead town board approved the rezoning of the Courtesy site at a public hearing on Nov. 25. The property is now zoned for residential use.
The Long Island Rail Road has agreed to transfer a .97-acre parcel of land it owns next to the Courtesy to the town, which will allow Trammell Crow’s complex to be in compliance with the town’s density limit. The deal still needs to be approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board, officials said.
In recent years, the Courtesy has been the site of a wide range of criminal activities, including prostitution, assaults and robberies, and has been home to several registered sex offenders. For over two years, residents have lobbied to have the Trammell Crow development replace the seedy hotel, contending that the project is the catalyst West Hempstead needs to start its revitalization. Trammell Crow has been in contract to purchase the Courtesy from its owner, Bruce Zwelsky, since March 2006.
“We’re very anxious to see the Courtesy closed and the property redeveloped,” said Rosalie Norton, president of the West Hempstead Civic Association. “We’re very happy that the town approved Trammell Crow’s site plans ... and we’re looking forward to getting this project started because it’s really going to be great for our community.”
Murray was scheduled to announce more of the details of the Courtesy’s sale and demolition at a community meeting at the West Hempstead Public Library on Wednesday, after the Herald went to press.
Comments about this story? DWilliams@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 205.
