New neighborhood born in North Bellmore

Four model homes are under construction at a 17-acre site on Maple Avenue in North Bellmore that was once a U.S. Army base. The site is to become a new neighborhood featuring a total of 79 homes built by the Beechwood Organization.

Kathy Sheck, Beechwood’s vice president of sales and marketing, said last week that the firm recently started sending contracts to prospective buyers, and already has commitments from some. Buyers can make pre-sale purchases at corporate offices in Jericho. The site work and sales are moving along well, she said. “The response is very positive. We’re very pleased.

“Fully furnished models will be open at the end of the year,” Sheck said, adding that potential buyers are learning about the project through signs on Maple Avenue, on the Beechwood website, in newspaper articles and by word of mouth. “A number of local people are interested.”

Sheck said that the firm offers four-bedroom homes with an option for a fifth bedroom. She said that Beechwood tweaked the previously approved plans of the property’s former owner, Kabro Associates, but basically kept the blueprints “within the same parameters.” Beechwood made the interiors less formal, opened up the kitchens with large islands and removed walls to create great rooms, she explained.

Sheck said that Beechwood representatives recently met with Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes, a town Building Department representative and a representative from County Legislator Dave Denenberg’s office. “Everything is good to go,” she said.

Reinaldo Nunez, president of the North Bellmore Civic Association, noted that Beechwood agreed during the ownership transfer — unanimously approved by the Nassau County Planning Commission — to meet with the community at an NBCA meeting to discuss plans for the new neighborhood, which will be called Country Pointe at North Bellmore.

Nunez said that the civic group would host Beechwood representatives at a meeting on Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., at the North Bellmore Public Library. He added that he could see mounds of dirt from his home north of the site.

Nunez said he favors the development. “They’re going to do a great job,” he said. “The owners seem to be very community-oriented.”