Argo Theater is one step closer to revitalization

Elmont residents have long sought revitalization of the old Argo Theater, a 2.9-acre property on Hempstead Turnpike and Elmont Road. Thanks to a vote last Tuesday by the Hempstead Town Board — including Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilman Ed Ambrosino and Councilman James Darcy — it looks like that plan is finally coming to fruition.

The town voted yesterday to designate New York-based developer RD Management LLC for the revitalization of the Argo Theater site. RD Management has developed more than 200 community shopping centers, including various locations on Long Island.

The town is planning to construct a neighborhood supermarket and parking lot at the site — in accordance with the Community Vision Plan, which was established by the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development and accepted by the town in 2008.

The town's preliminary plans include building a 35,000-square-foot supermarket and other types of retail, in keeping with the Vision Plan. A vast majority of Elmont residents agreed that the supermarket plan was best for the Argo site, through a blight study that was conducted several years ago by the Coalition for Sustainable Development.

“Designating a developer for the former Argo Theater property brings the Elmont community one step closer to making its vision a reality,” Murray said. “The property is in the heart of Elmont’s downtown, and development there will be an important symbol of neighborhood renewal.”

Darcy added that he believes Elmont residents "deserve a development that will create jobs and stimulate the local economy."

Murray told the Herald in June that although the town has wanted to revitalize the Argo site for several years, its plans were halted in 2009 by a lawsuit filed by the owners of the property, who claimed that the blight study was not factual. The state required the "blight" designation for the town to redevelop the site using a private developer, and the state awarded the town $2.5 million in Restore New York funds for the project.

According to the town, the property owners filed the lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court, under Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules, which permits residents to appeal a written decision made by a public agency. That lawsuit was recently dismissed by the court.

Murray said that the town would defend the Argo Theatre area's revitalization in court in the future, if necessary. “It’s very unfortunate that the owners of the Argo movie theater chose to sue rather than maintain a decent premises,” Murray said in June. “We got handed lemons, and we’re going to make lemonade … we will have a supermarket at the Argo movie theater.”

Mike Deery, a town spokesman, said he doesn't anticipate future litigation by the property owners, and maintained that the town reserves the right to condemn the Argo property. He also said that the redevelopment will likely come at no or little cost to the town. The town could incur costs to develop the plan with RD Management and for filing request for proposals, he explained.

Sandra Smith, co-chair of the Coalition for Sustainable Development, who attended last week's town meeting, said she’s very pleased with the vote. “I am completely ecstatic about it, and I know the rest of Elmont will be too,” Smith said. “It’s the first step … it’s great to see our Vision Plan come to fruition.”

Muzzio Tallini, owner of Signature Organization in Elmont, said the town's vote has brought Elmont's Vision Plan one step closer to being fulfilled. "There have been some unfortunate bumps in the road, but hopefully we're back on track and the shovels will hit the ground soon," Tallini said. "We also remain committed to reforming our antiquated zoning regulations consistent with the Elmont Vision Plan, so that the entire Hempstead Turnpike corridor can be re-imagined and revitalized."

According to the town, the planned business development is part of an ongoing community effort by the town, which includes the recent opening of the Foster Meadow Golden Age Residence, a 30-unit senior living complex located near the Argo Theatre property, which was created through a partnership between partnership between the town, the Bedford Construction Group and the Long Island Housing Partnership.

Now that a developer has been designated, in the coming weeks, a contract will be drawn up between the town and RD Management, regarding the cost and timeline of the project.

Check back for updates to this story. Questions about it? JNash@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 214.