This is the vision of Jerry Wolkoff for the proposed...

This is the vision of Jerry Wolkoff for the proposed Heartland Town Square in an undeveloped area of Brentwood.

When developers build a downtown from scratch, they can avoid getting bogged down in land acquisition from property owners in an established business center. They can incorporate more varied uses and generally higher density than with a downtown redevelopment project, builders and planners say. In short, they can think big.

"It somewhat easier for us to implement our vision," said developer Jerry Wolkoff, who is planning the sprawling Heartland Town Square project in Brentwood.

But the scale and density involved raise proportionately increased concerns about traffic, sewage and other infrastructure issues. The review and approval process can drag on for years.

That's what has happened so far with the two largest Long Island projects - Heartland and the Lighthouse at Mitchel Field.

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.  Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez

Inside look at NUMC's aging infrastructure President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.  Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez

Inside look at NUMC's aging infrastructure President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

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