Franklin Square needs a downtown, says town pol

THE SCOOP

With a healthy real estate market and tight-knit community, Franklin Square has “such a strong core and foundation, and we want to build on that and make it better and better,” says Town of Hempstead councilman Bruce Blakeman, who represents the area.

To do so, Blakeman says, he has met with legislators to discuss a project to transform the commercial area on Hempstead Turnpike and Franklin Avenue into a mixed-use development.

“It’s long overdue for Franklin Square,” he says. “Franklin Square could use a little downtown village. Retail is pretty scattered, so I think the community feels that that corridor and intersection would be ideal.”

Blakeman says that if the plans for a new arena at Belmont Park in neighboring Elmont go on as planned, he would like the governor to consider funding for improvements along Hempstead Turnpike in both Franklin Square and Elmont. Should a railroad stop be added to Belmont Park, Blakeman says, the town plans to speak with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority about adding a parking field in Franklin Square with shuttle service to Belmont.

“The projects would completely revitalize the area,” Blakeman says.

Franklin Square is known for its brick Capes, though some have been expanded into Colonials, says Devin Sullivan of Novus Realty Group. Prices, she says, have held strong in the market, ranging from starter homes around $500,000 to updated and expanded high-end homes priced upward of $700,000.

“Franklin Square has a strong similarity to Queens as far as common 40-by-100-foot property size,” she says. “I see so many people coming from Queens, over the border into Franklin Square for the affordability and the location.”

Unlike nearby areas like Rockville Centre and Garden City, there isn’t much disparity in housing price, says Charlie Maione of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

“All neighborhoods are similar. And it’s a multigenerational area,” he says.

The area, which is 15 minutes from Kennedy Airport, offers convenient access to various parkways, including the Southern State, Cross Island and Northern State parkways, and the Long Island Expressway, says Franklin Square native Stephen Orlando of Exit Realty Gateway.

Attractions include Rath Park, which features a community pool and athletic fields and courts. Next to the park is the recently renovated Historical Society building.

Blakeman says that the town also is looking to add historical markers along Hempstead Turnpike to designate George Washington’s path through Long Island, and Franklin Square, during the Revolutionary War.

CONDOS AND CO-OPS

No condos or co-ops are on the market.

SALES PRICE

Between Jan. 1, 2017, and Jan. 31, 2018, there were 194 home sales with a median sale price of $500,000, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. The low price for that period was $250,000 and the high was $760,000. During that period a year earlier, there were 210 home sales with a median sale price of $455,000. The price range was $288,750 to $825,000.

SCHOOLS

Most students attend H. Frank Carey High School. Others attend Valley Stream and Elmont.

OTHER STATS

Town Hempstead

Area 2.9 square miles

ZIP code 11010

Population 29,320

Median age 42.4

Median household income $95,656

Median home value $520,000*

LIRR to NYC From Stewart Manor, 37 to 45 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket $261

School district Franklin Square; Valley Stream 13; Elmont

SOURCES: 2010 Census; mlsli.com; LIRR;

*Based on sales in the past six months, according to MLSLI

RECENTLY SOLD

$650,000

SAINT PAUL PLACE After 136 days on the market, this three-bedroom, 2 1⁄2-bathroom split-level sold for $69,000 less than its asking price. The 1956 house features living and dining rooms with vaulted ceilings, and a kitchen with custom tile and a built-in wine fridge. The master suite includes a full bathroom and walk-in closet. A lower-level den includes a stone fireplace and bar. The 34-by-107-foot property, with taxes of $12,915, includes an attached one-car garage and an in-ground pool.

$520,000

SWALE ROAD This four-bedroom high-ranch sold for $49,000 less than its asking price after 165 days on the market. The house, built in 1984, includes two full bathrooms. The main level of the house includes a living and dining room with hardwood floors, an adjacent eat-in kitchen and an updated bathroom. Sliding glass doors off the lower level of the house open to a back patio. The 51-by-125-foot property, with taxes of $15,559, is on a cul-de-sac.

$424,500

GABRIEL AVENUE Originally listed for $399,000, this four-bedroom Cape sold after 105 days on the market. The house, which includes one bathroom, was built in 1946. The living room, formal dining room, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms are on the main level of the home. Two additional bedrooms are on the upper level. The house also includes a partially finished basement. The 40-by-100-foot property, with taxes of $10,814, includes a detached one-car garage.

NOW ON THE MARKET

$474,999 This three-bedroom, 1 1⁄2-bathroom Cape includes a living room, kitchen and dining room. The 40-by-100-foot property also has a finished basement and a detached one-car garage. Taxes: $11,385. Richard Parisi, Charles Rutenberg Realty, 516-263-7777.

$629,000 This five-bedroom, two-bathroom Colonial features a granite eat-in kitchen, a master bedroom with cathedral ceilings and his-and-her closets and a finished basement. There is a detached one-car garage on the 40-by-100-foot property. Taxes: $13,276. Stephen Orlando and Rosemarie Orlando, 516-698-8619, 516-697-2929.

$739,000 This four-bedroom, 3 1⁄2-bathroom Colonial includes a living room, a den with a fireplace, and a finished basement. The 40-by-100-foot property also includes a detached two-car garage. Taxes: $12,920. Lisa Dellipizzi, Lisa DP Real Estate, 516-319-3647.

On Multiple Listings

Number of houses 35

Price range $415,000-$869,000

Tax range $9,100-$14,412