LI housing projects, Mamdani's D.C. visit

Supporting housing projects is crucial

The proposed Glen Cove development deserves recognition for what it would deliver: 29 much-needed housing units in the heart of the downtown, including some set aside as affordable “A complex and opaque IDA tale,” Editorial, March 4].

At a time when Long Island faces a severe housing shortage, projects like this directly expand supply while creating opportunities for young professionals, working families and empty nesters to remain in our communities.

This project underwent extensive review and was ultimately approved by two separate industrial development agencies. Cooperatively, both the Glen Cove and Nassau County IDAs evaluated the proposal under their respective policies and determined it met the standards for economic benefit and responsible development.

That dual approval demonstrates confidence that this is a sound project that will contribute to downtown revitalization, support local businesses, and strengthen the city’s tax base more than the vacant lot that currently exists.

Without the support of a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement, many multifamily developments cannot secure financing in today’s economic climate. Supporting projects like this is essential to revitalizing our downtowns and addressing our housing crisis.

— Mike Florio, Melville

The writer is CEO of the Long Island Builders Institute.

Mayor’s recent D.C. visit: Numbers game

During New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s latest visit with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, the mayor proposed building 12,000 housing units above the Sunnyside train yards with a $21 billion federal grant [“Mamdani visits Trump,” News, Feb. 27].

I wonder if anyone is doing the math. This would cost $1.75 million per unit. This seems like an extremely expensive and wasteful project.

— Phil Tretola, Bethpage