By Esther McKenna
Construction to begin soon on storage warehouse
Premier Storage Solutions has acquired three vacant buildings at 36-48 Merrick Road and will construct a new four-story facility on the 1.46 acre site, replacing several smaller and older structures. Construction on the new facility is scheduled to begin in September.
The leading self-storage developer bought the properties from Milone Realty for $1.9 million and plans were approved by the Building Department for a 132,000-square-foot facility in June. Members of the Architectural Review Board were pleased with the final plans for the new structure which will include an office building-type facade, according to board member Monte Leeper.
"The building went through some initial modifications because of its character," said Mr. Leeper. "But the final product lends itself very nicely to the community."
Village officials are welcoming their newest commercial neighbors with open arms. "[Premier opening a facility in the village] is an absolute improvement over what's there now," said Building Superintendent Steve DeClue. "Why wouldn't we be happy about [the new building]; the present area looks like a dump."
"We were fully cooperative with the village," said Aileen Green of Insignia/ESG in Syosset who represents Premier Storage on all of its Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn acquisitions. "The current area is an eye sore; the new facility will enhance its look," she said.
This particular new business does not pose the same traffic and parking problems as other commercial businesses, like Home Depot, said Greg Basmajian, an architect from the Plainview firm employed by Premier. "Aside from the obvious beautification and tax benefits to the village, the storage facility provides a service for the community," said Mr. Basmajian who labeled Premier a "quiet use" business. "Residents need not worry that there will be a lot of additional traffic due to this business."
Why Rockville Centre? Tom Schaffler, managing partner of the Memphis-based storage developer, said Rockville Centre was "a high-volume area" with "strong visibility."
"The demographics dictate that there is a need for the use of a storage facility and the population is such that [Premier] believes Rockville Centre to be a desired location," said Mr. Basmajian.
The area is currently surrounded by commercial, rather than residential, structures and is located directly across from Smith Pond, adjacent to the LIPA substation, on the north side of the Long Island Rail Road.
According to Ms. Green, Premier Storage has already purchased six properties in Nassau and Suffolk in the past 12 months.
The Rockville Centre project is scheduled for completion next June.
