‘I’m committed to this project”

Developers withdraw from Baldwin redevelopment

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Baldwinites are frustrated. It’s been more than a decade and a half since an effort to redevelop Baldwin’s commercial district began, and yet, on July 19, the Town of Hempstead announced on Facebook that the Engel Burman Group and Basser-Kauf-man Inc., the developers designated to take on the work, had withdrawn from the project.

The developers informed the town they were withdrawing due to a “profoundly shifting economic landscape.” In response, Town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney said she thought it was time to think of a new approach.

“In the wake of EBBK’s business decision, it is time to think about a public policy approach for Baldwin’s economic renaissance that doesn’t repeat a process that clearly doesn’t work,” King Sweeney wrote on Facebook. “There needs to be an immediate solution that creates an expedited approach to redevelopment, yet one that the Hempstead Town Board will supervise to ensure the community’s quality of life is enhanced.”

Within minutes of the announcement, Baldwinites shared their concerns and frustrations on the social media outlet. “This is a disappointment,” said Karen Montalbano, president of the Baldwin Civic Association. “We have potential [for this type of development] in our communities. There needs to be a change, and we need to get it going soon.”

The town will be reviewing a new proposal that would create a Grand Avenue Overlay Zone, in an effort to persuade developers to purchase property with zoning already in place, according to King Sweeney. She said she believed that creating such an overlay zone could be effective. Similar zoning projects have been successful in other downtowns on Long Island, like Farmingdale. King Sweeney added that she thought this type of zoning might help reduce the cost of development and expedite the project.

After the developers announced their withdrawal, Town Supervisor Laura Gillen and State Sen. Todd Kaminsky reassured Baldwinites of their commitment to work with the community, King Sweeney and the Town Board in efforts to rezone Baldwin’s downtown.

“New zoning, with actual community-based planning, will help expedite new development and help give our downtown the boost it deserves,” Gillen said. “We heard from numerous developers who will be interested in this new opportunity. I am confident they appreciate the residents’ feedback before drawing up plans that will affect the future of the entire Baldwin community.”

“I will work hard to make sure the state funds already allocated to Baldwin can be applied to a reimagined project,” Kaminsky added, “and I am fully committed to working with the Town Council to secure additional funding to see downtown Baldwin thrive.”

Though Engel Burman and Basser-Kaufman made progress, according to King Sweeney, their efforts were still in their infancy. They were in the process of trying to purchase approximately 13 properties and negotiating prices with the landowners. One of the challenges, King Sweeney said, was the high cost of the land.

“We’re not trying to blame [EBBK] or anyone,” she said. “We have to do whatever it takes. I’m still committed to this project.”