Mixed-use’s big moves in 2017: Starting with a big bang - by Anthony Manetta

Anthony Manetta, HB Solutions LLC

2017 started off with a bang. The Suffolk County planning commission in a unanimous vote approved Jerry Wolkoff’s long-anticipated Heartland development project. The commission recommended Islip Town grant a zoning change, which would allow the project to move forward. This is a step in the right direction that will create tremendous opportunities for the region as a whole. This project has been making its way through the approval process for more than 10 years; a symbol of overly-intense land use process. Now, Heartland has the ability for the developer to show off the project’s caliber and the massive economic generator this will become.

Another area where mixed-use is going to make an impact is in the Village of Lindenhurst. The village is the 4^th largest in NYS with 28,000 residents. The village mayor Tom Brennan and deputy mayor Michael Lavorata, along with the entire board of trustees, have adopted a forward-thinking vision for the community. The village is on the South Shore in the town of Babylon. It has a North-South artery, Wellwood Avenue, as their “Main St.,” a bustling Long Island rail road station, and the community is fully sewered.  It’s my opinion that Lindenhurst has the best “bones,” aka infrastructure, in the region. It is ripe for opportunity and revitalization.

One project in particular that is making its way is the redevelopment of a large, underutilized cabinet facility. The project is being led by Tritec, who has successfully built many impressive developments across the Long Island Region. It is located just off Wellwood Ave. and will provide brand new rental apartments with easy access to the railroad. It also brings bodies to the local shopping district, which will boost sales and increase the presence of more restaurants and nightlife.

Switching into Nassau County, the Baldwin community is set for revitalization. The town of Hempstead and supervisor Anthony Santino recently touted a grant that will go towards the planning for the “Grand Ave. Urban Renewal Area.” The chosen developers to lead the project are Basser-Kaufman and Engel Burman. The town of Hempstead, in collaboration with the Baldwin Civic Association and Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, recognized that such an effort will turn around the business district to bring a new vitality and economic rebirth to the area.

Heartland, Lindenhurst and Baldwin are slated to be three movers in 2017. Let’s keep an eye out for other communities on the rise.

Anthony Manetta is an economic development and public affairs consultant at HB Solutions, the non-legal subsidiary of Harris Beach, Melville, N.Y.