Hempstead village awarded $3 million for redevelopment of vacant site

The Village of Hempstead was awarded $3 million for a redevelopment project in downtown Hempstead. The money is coming from a sum of over $64 million that has been awarded to 43 projects through New York State’s Restore New York Communities Initiative.

The funds will support the demolition of an existing parking structure on Cooper Square North that has long been abandoned. The building spans 378,900 square feet, taking up a large portion of real estate.

The redevelopment will include the construction of 336 market rate apartments and replacement parking meant to foster economic activity in downtown Hempstead south of Jackson Street.

“We are grateful to Governor Hochul for the $3 million award to address a blighted situation in the Village of Hempstead for years,” Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. said in a statement to the Herald. “Safety is always a priority, and this parking structure has been a safety and hazard concern we can now address. This will also assist us in our downtown revitalization.”

Restore New York provides funds to help “remove and reduce blight, reinvigorate communities and generate new residential and economic opportunities statewide,” according to the news release. The program is facilitated by Empire State Development and is designed to “help local governments encourage new commercial investments through community revitalization, growing local housing, and putting properties back on the tax rolls to increase the local tax base.”

“Revitalizing and rehabilitating vacant and blighted areas of our communities brings new energy and investments that support local and regional growth,” Governor Hochul said in the news release. “Restore New York helps our municipalities plan for the future by catalyzing economic growth and supporting housing, businesses and cultural spaces. We are further unlocking the potential of these sites and communities across New York.”

Other locations received money for redevelopment projects.

The Town of Brookhaven was awarded $2 million for a proposed project along Neighborhood Road in the Hamlet of Mastic Beach that involves increased residential space, more retail and restaurant space, and approximately 370 structured parking spaces.

Albany County was awarded $10 million that is designated for the safe demolition of the Albany Central Warehouse on I-787 in Albany. The vacant warehouse is one of the first landmarks seen when entering the region, according to the news release, and its demolition will “encourage new investments and redevelopment of the site in a high growth area.”

“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is building for the future by supporting projects that advance statewide priorities like increasing housing and revitalizing communities,” Hope Knight, Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner, said in the news release. “Through the Restore New York Communities Initiative, we are working together with municipalities to remove blight and generate new investments to promote sustainable economic growth.”