Hempstead chamber meets on $2B downtown plan

The Hempstead Chamber of Commerce will meet Wednesday about the village’s $2 billion plan to revitalize its downtown and the potential effects on, and benefits for, local businesses.

The redevelopment plan, led by master developer Renaissance Downtowns along with UrbanAmerica Advisors, offers a combination of condominiums, co-ops and rental apartments accommodating various income levels. It also includes a hotel, shops, open spaces, parking and entertainment.

The chamber meeting will be at 6:30 Wednesday night in the community room of the Hempstead Public Library, 115 Nichols Ct.

Members of the chamber, representatives for the project developers, village officials and members of the village’s Community Benefits Agreement executive board — charged by Mayor Wayne J. Hall with crafting the formal agreement — are expected to be in attendance.

“A lot of the businesses have been asking questions about what is happening and how it is going to affect them,” said chamber president Al Forde, who is also the benefits agreement board chairman. “They will get the answers at the meeting.”

Community activists, business owners and residents have demanded that the community benefits agreement between the village and the developers incorporate contracts for local businesses. Some said they worry that the project would displace small businesses.

Above: An artist's rendering of the proposed development on North Main Street in Hempstead Village.