Herald takes a look at the status of Baldwin's major projects

In recent years, government officials have been working on a number of projects in
Baldwin. The Herald decided to check in on how far along they are.

Downtown project

In April, the Town of Hempstead selected Albanese Development for the downtown revitalization project planned for Grand Avenue and Merrick Road. The development calls for a five-story retail/residential mix with an outdoor dining area and below-ground parking.

Company officials are working out a contract with the town and, at the same time, attempting to negotiate property sales with the owners of current businesses on Grand Avenue and Merrick Road.

The project has had its share of speed bumps along the way. Several years ago there were discussions on moving Nunley's Carousel and/or the 1st Precinct to the area; and in the late 2000s, the economic recession forced out a potential developer.

Plans were further complicated last month after a fire prompted the demolition of an entire two-story building on Grand Avenue. The owner of that building has expressed his desire to rebuild the structure, despite town plans to raze the entire property to make room for the Albanese project.

But town officials have maintained that the fire will not affect the Albanese Development project. An official time frame for completion has not yet been established.

This is a Town of Hempstead project.

Merrick Road

The first of two major fires last month, the May 3 blaze destroyed several businesses and apartments along Merrick Road, just east of Grand Avenue.

Town of Hempstead officials claim that the structure is still in a condition where businesses can be rebuilt, however store owners are waiting to hear from their respective insurance companies to assess their individual situations.

The town had been working with several businesses in the affected area on plans to upgrade the appearance of storefronts with brick siding, Victorian street lamps and other sidewalk paving. Some businesses, such as restaurant DJ Houdek's, are still on board with the plan.

This is a Town of Hempstead project.

The 1st Precinct

A controversial lease agreement between Nassau County and the owners of the Rosen Shopping Center on Grand Avenue for a new 1st Police Precinct is being challenged in court — twice.

A pair of lawsuits, one filed by the county and the other by residents, allege that the Suozzi administration took a series of illegal shortcuts en route to securing a 30-year lease with Grand Baldwin Associates, which owns the Rosen Shopping Center, authorizing the construction of a new 1st Precinct facility on that property.

County officials have maintained that the current building is beyond repair and that a new structure is needed. The debate among government officials and residents is mostly why the county sought to lease property from a private company rather than purchase it, as the lease arrangement would result in Nassau taxpayers paying about $20 million over a 30-year period.

This is a county project.

Toyota

The original plan was for Toyota to open a full dealership at the corner of Sunrise Highway and Grand Avenue. However, the poor economy led Toyota officials to downgrade their proposal to car-storage only earlier this year.

Town of Hempstead officials have said that Toyota’s car-storage plan would likely be temporary. If the company were to see an upswing in the economy, it remains possible that a vehicle showroom could be erected at some point.

The town has signed off on all the necessary approvals. At this time, the town is
waiting on Toyota to move forward.

This is a Town of Hempstead project.

Coes Neck property

After a heated debate with the Suozzi administration over a planned lease of the Coes Neck property, a 33-acre plot of open space in northern Baldwin, to Molloy College for construction of athletic fields, Baldwin residents ultimately got their wish and had the land designated a perpetual preserve in December 2008.

Though not an official county-led project, residents near the property have been looking to secure county funds for new fencing, park benches and creation of a nature walking trail there.