58 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2019
PRESS HOME
MANHASSET MACY’S REDEVELOPMENT DRAWS NIMBY IRE
Manhasset Square would include
355 apartments, with the majority
as one bedrooms and studios, along
with a smaller, still-to-be-determined
number of two-bedroom
units. It also would include 73,400
square feet of retail, 72,000 square
feet of class-A office space and a
200-room hotel.
The project, which calls for 2,271
parking spaces above and below
ground in addition to open-air
spaces, requires variances, leading
to a debate.
Information about the project was
shared first with the Council of Greater
Manhasset Civic Associations at a
special meeting on May 8 with a proposal
to the North Hempstead town
board “imminent” as of press time.
Olsen says apartments would attract
young professionals who might later
buy homes and older residents who
would spend money locally.
An online petition, launched June 20
and now with more than 1,200 signatures,
seeks to stop the rezoning
of the property from commercial to
residential use.
Sandro Abballe in the petition
said there is “too much residential
development proposed” and “it will
overrun the schools.”
“Too much traffic already,” Darlene
DiPietro said succinctly.
Plandome Road, Northern Boulevard
and Port Washington Boulevard
are already filled with traffic,
according to residents, even if
Brookfield can argue it will bring
more revenue to Manhasset residents
and businesses.
The petition indicates Manhasset’s
population is 8,000, but 355 rental
units could significantly increase
that number.
Daisy King, another local resident,
in the petition says local schools, the
library, pools and Northern Boulevard
are too small to serve many
more residents.
“We do not want to sacrifice our
children’s future and take any risk
of downgrading the quality of the
education,” King says.
The Brookfield spokesman said the
firm’s “team heard the concerns
raised about the project” and is
seeking to address them.
“Brookfield and our team have since
met with civic leaders and are planning
future meetings with community
groups and concerned citizens
to share the project vision and ensure
that all issues are addressed,"
Olsen says.
Emanuel Grillo wants not more
people, but more amenities. “How
about a park and some ballfields?”
he asked.
Brookfield is launching a website that
will include ways for the community
to ask questions and provide feedback.
And community leaders interested
in meeting with Brookfield can
contact Bill Corbett Jr. at wjcorbett@
corbettpr.com.
Jacky Yung, meanwhile, believes
more infrastructure could handle
more residents, but doesn’t believe
that’s in the cards.
“If Manhasset has the budget to improve
infrastructure (extra roads,
more schools with good teachers and
extra Long Island Rail Road trains),
this project can be a possibility,”
Yung said, adding without that, he
worries about the impact.
continued from page 57
"We are already overcrowded," says Joseph Braman.
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