Vowing that “we will deliver” on plans to add 428 apartments on a nine-acre vacant plot on Westminster Avenue, Commack-based Heatherwood Luxury Rentals LLC held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday (9/6) to signal the start of the project.
The apartments, which the developer said would be 100% market-value rent, will stand on a parcel long used as retail space and parking, most recently by National Wholesale Liquidators, which closed its doors for the final time in 2019.
“The Heatherwood family is committed to this property, community and town,” said Chris Capece, president of the firm. He noted that unlike other developers who build to sell, Heatherwood fully intended to maintain ownership of the property.
Maureen Greenberg of the West Hempstead Community Support Association said her organization’s board had worked closely with town officials, the developer and neighborhood residents over three years and in numerous open meetings. “This would not have come to fruition without the community’s input, belief and fortitude to deliver this project,” said Greenberg.
Despite the symbolic “groundbreaking” of shoveled sand, Capece told Echo the actual construction start date is yet to be determined, since one tenant, a Chinese restaurant, remains on the property, and demolition of the aging brick building must be preceded by abatement of toxins.
In addition to apartments, the plans call for 5,575 square feet of retail space and parking for 740 vehicles.
