Now, your thoughts: LIVING SPACE

June 17, 2007

Our experiment in brainstorming has begun. Here's a sample of the ideas readers sent in response to last Sunday's editorial. The conversation on Long Island's future continues. Michael White, executive director of the Long Island Regional Planning Board, will respond to your questions and comments in this space next Sunday. Respond or add a new idea any time, by category, at: www.newsday.com/opinion. Watch the opinion pages for select comments.

One of the things that can be done is to create a living space for empty nesters who would rather not drive to do the mundane chores. This can be accomplished by modifying shopping malls to include apartments or condos and to have businesses such as banks, post offices, grocery stores and medical offices that people otherwise might drive to. This would help alleviate the traffic and housing situations. Joseph Cerar, 81 Plainview

Here's my idea: Build low-rise apartment houses (otherwise known as garden apartments) over the right-of-way of the Long Island Rail Road. For example, build three-floor garden-apartment-like structures, with roof-top parking, parks and gardens, over the tracks one-half mile on either side of the major stations, such as Hicksville, Huntington, etc. The housing would by definition be close to mass transit. During daytime hours, it would help alleviate the shortage of parking for those who would like to take the LIRR into New York City. Walter Greenspan, 61 Great Falls, Mont., formerly of Jericho

There are no apartment communities for young people with a pool or fitness club, as there are in so many other parts of the country. The few apartments tend to be basements of a house, which is very unappealing for a young, single person. And there are few sustainable downtowns with apartments and stores where you are either near a train station or can park a car on a Friday after work and not use it again until Monday morning. Bell Boulevard in Bayside is a good example of a layout that could work. There are a lot of stores and bars right near a train station with a lot of apartments nearby, and I know a lot of 20-somethings who live there because of these reasons. It's why I moved to the city from East Northport, though I commute to work in New Hyde Park. Brian Eschbacher, 25 Astoria

I would like to see housing complexes created for young working professionals that are similar to those already built for the 55-and-older community. A good model is recent development at the Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury. While the neighborhood may not be quiet suburbia, as it's in a high-traffic area, the concept works well. First, there's use made of what was otherwise vacant land. Second, it's near major parkways and within reasonable distance of public transportation. Third, at least one of the complexes offers amenities such as a fitness center and pool. Fourth, it's near local shopping conveniences. I don't think a high-rise would be necessary. Town houses or a two-story complex with co-op units would work best. Tara Ennis, 28 Mineola