Board approves exterior renovation at former law office

The Rockville Centre Village Board approved an office facade improvement measure on Oct. 5, further paving the way for South Nassau Communities Hospital to convert the former law office at 510 Merrick Road into a urology facility.

The Borad of Zoning Appeals approved the hospital’s application to build the office at its meeting on Aug. 17. South Nassau owns the building, located between Long Beach Road and Linhurst Place, and is currently using it as a storage facility.

McGuire Group Architects is heading the renovations.

“The goal is to convey an image that this is an extension of the hospital,” said owner John McGuire. “This isn’t just a free-standing doctor’s office. The doctors practicing at the hospital are going to be located here. They’re seeing patients here. It’s just easier and more convenient for the patients to be here than trying to find a spot at the hospital or trying to navigate through all the cars.”

The aesthetic of the building is slightly different than what was originally proposed. It includes metal panels, horizontal glass with wood accents, front and back entrances and a wooden slat fence to eliminate views of the surrounding gasoline station and convenience store.

“It’s an older building,” McGuire said. “It certainly needs some upgrades so we’re happy to be pushing it in that direction. It’s a very clean, modern appearance which conveys the image that this is the best care you could possibly get.”

The plan is for the office to open sometime in the middle of next year, followed by six months of construction.