Sandy delays West Hempstead complex opening

The grand opening of the transit-oriented apartment complex where the notorious Courtesy Hotel in West Hempstead once stood has been delayed due to superstorm Sandy.

The new four-story residential building called West 130, on 130 Hempstead Ave., was expected to open for occupancy earlier this month, after construction was completed in October.

"Although there was no damage to the building, the power outages and transportation difficulties that affected the region following Hurricane Sandy have reduced resources and added some time to our delivery schedule," said Jamie Stover, vice president of the Northeast Division of property owner Mill Creek Residential, which is based in Wilton, Conn. "We are working diligently with the Town of Hempstead Building Department with the hopes of moving in residents in December."

The luxury apartment building, next to the Long Island Rail Road's West Hempstead station, features 150 upscale rental units of one, two and three bedrooms. The 2.7-acre complex has an outdoor pool, landscaped courtyards, a clubhouse, a fitness center and Internet lounge, a theater room, a cafe and a two-story underground parking garage.

LIRR officials have said the apartment complex could cause them to reconsider weekend service cuts on the West Hempstead branch, if there is growth in ridership. The branch has had no weekend service since 2010.

In May 2011, a ceremonial demolition marked the tearing-down of the Courtesy Hotel, which had been shuttered four months earlier. The demolition was a victory for groups that had long complained of its history of drug and violent crime arrests as well as registered sex offenders who lived there.