No apartments for downtown Rockville Centre

Plans to build apartments in the empty building on the southeast corner of Park Avenue and Sunrise Highway in downtown Rockville Centre have been shelved, but the site could still be redeveloped.

“Our feeling is pretty much that that building is the gateway to Rockville Centre,” said Robert DiNoto, co-owner of the property. “And I think it would go a long way to have a building that’s redone and beautiful.”

A Radio Shack occupied the building until it closed in March 2015. DiNoto and the other co-owner, Paul Posillico, originally planned to convert the structure into retail space on the first floor and about five apartments on the second and third floors. But that plan was withdrawn because they could not find enough parking for potential tenants.

DiNoto said that his team did not feel encouraged or supported by the village. “The various channels made it clear to us that they had no intention [of] granting the approval because we didn’t have parking,” he said.

“The village welcomes new businesses, welcomes renovations and upgrades to existing businesses as well,” said Julie Scully, a village spokeswoman. “The high occupancy rate is because of that. The Zoning Board of Appeals never voted on this because the application was withdrawn before it was heard … The village always is welcoming, and looking to work with businesses in the thriving downtown area.”

DiNoto said that he and Posillico might submit a revised plan to the village, pending a meeting next week. The possibilities include another retailer or a restaurant. He said he has also contemplated demolishing the building’s second and third floors if otherwise unused but still on the tax rolls.

“We’ve had multiple interests from multiple restaurant tenants,” he said. “We know that’s a whole other issue with parking. It’s a given that you get those variances, it seems. And this is based on precedent.”

Van Pape, the owner of shoe store Rhea Nichols, across the street on Park Avenue, said that the best use for the building would be apartments and retail. “I just recognize that every small-town redevelopment that’s close to the LIRR includes apartments that are close to the train station,” he said. “Having people live and work in the town makes the town vital. That’s just common sense.”

Pape also said that no one, including the Chamber of Commerce, has addressed the lack of parking. “I’m getting hurt by it just being empty,” he said of the former Radio Shack. “There’s nothing good — until the building is occupied — that can come of it. I think it’s going to be a long process.”

Another business owner on Park Avenue, who declined to be identified, said he would rather have another retail store in the building, which would add variety, since there are already many restaurants.