Hempstead plans revitalization hearings

Hempstead Village will hold several special meetings and public hearings in the coming weeks related to its $2 billion plan to revitalize its downtown.

The village will hold a special meeting Monday in the community room of the Hempstead Public Library (115 Nichols Court) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Officials will discuss and respond to questions about the draft environmental impact study.

The board of trustees' public hearing on the study's findings will be Tuesday at Village Hall, 99 Nichols Court, at 6:30 p.m. The board will consider the approval and adoption of the study.

The village held the first special meeting two weeks ago to formally introduce the proposed downtown overlay zone and zoning map. The public hearing about the zoning amendments will take place June 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the library. The board will consider adopting the zoning plan at a special meeting July 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Village Hall.

The redevelopment plan offers condominiums, co-ops and rental apartments accommodating various income levels. It also includes a hotel, shops, open spaces, parking and entertainment. The project could take about a decade to complete, developers have said.

Village officials in February designated Plainview-based Renaissance Downtowns, working in partnership with Manhattan real estate investment firm UrbanAmerica Advisors, as the project's master developer.

Community activists have demanded that a community benefits agreement between the village and the developers incorporate jobs, business and housing for local residents.

The project is expected to create more than 3,500 permanent jobs and 10,000 construction jobs, developers and village officials have said.