Development in Freeport moves forward

Properties in Freeport that once lay vacant are being developed and returned to the village tax rolls, said Freeport’s Deputy Mayor Carmen Pineyro. Ms. Pineyro was the featured speaker at the Freeport Chamber luncheon on November 12.

Ms. Pineyro provided a laundry list of projects in development including the sale of the Hunter Marina, a property in contract on Merrick Road and the possible sale of three other pieces of village property – a lot on Sunrise Highway and two lots on Albany Avenue.

Furthermore, the village has reissued its Request for Proposals for development of Plaza West to include the Church Street triangle. “We rejected the offers that came in with the original RFP because we wanted to develop this parcel to attract business. We are hopeful that we can now attract a hotel, maybe a Marriott,” said Ms. Pineyro.

“The intent is to restore these properties to the tax rolls, generate recurring tax revenue, eliminate services such as snow removal and grass cutting, encourage economic development and happily accept the ‘appraised value’ for purchase price,” said Mayor Kennedy, in an email to The Leader regarding development of village properties.

“This policy is consistent with the current administration’s practice of increasing nontax revenue and reducing expenses to assist in balancing the Village of Freeport’s finances,” he said.

For example, the Plaza West property on Sunrise Highway “was in litigation for more than seven years and cost the taxpayers over $1 million,” said Mayor Kennedy. He added that the scaffolding, deemed to be unnecessary after some investigation, was costing taxpayers $1,500 a month for five years.

“These actions will help eliminate wasteful spending of taxpayer money,” said Mayor Kennedy.

Furthermore, Mayor Kennedy said he believes the sale and development of property within the village will “have a positive impact for years to come.”

The Hunter Marina was sold for $660,000 to a developer who will build a catering hall. Additionally there has been some discussion about a conference center or hotel being considered for the Schooner property on Woodcleft.

The property on the corner of Merrick Road and Henry Street is in contract and will be sold for $860,000. Deputy Mayor Pineyro told chamber members that the “new owner will work with the [village] board on how to develop the property before going through the zoning process.”

The village is currently evaluating the value of the small lot adjacent to Goodyear on Sunrise Highway, said Mayor Kennedy. Two properties on Albany Avenue – parking lot #15 across from the boat ramp and the property where the incinerator is located – may also be up for sale in the near future.

In other news, Deputy Mayor Pineyro announced that the village was considering a trolley that would take visitors from the Freeport Recreation Center to the Nautical Mile. “It could be up and running as early as Spring,” she said.

However, Mayor Kennedy said that “a local trolley company is considering all options and is very interested but finances appear to be a stumbling block.”