(Editor's Note: The following letter was addressed to Mayor Hecken and is printed here at the author's request. Also, it should be noted that one of the directors of the Chamber Board is the vice president of the Albanese Development Corporation, the plaintiff has several suits against the Village attempting to force the municipality to purchase home(s) the Albaneses own to create parking behind their office building.)

After over a year of study and reformulation of the committee to include more citizen representation, the January 1997 Business Planning Coalition Report urged that the Village implement its three major recommendations simultaneously, fearing that a piecemeal approach would fail to achieve the desired objective of attracting major upscale national retailers to Franklin Avenue. The purpose of this letter is to urge the Board to not delay finishing or lessen the quality of the streetscape project, as well as to update the Board on the status of each of these recommendations, and to recommend some specific action. The Chamber Board endorsed the recommendations.

1. The Streetscape Beautification Project

The first phase of the project was completed in November 1999, over 18 months behind schedule. The good news is that William Kuhl's designs and the execution of the project have received high marks from building owners, tenants and visitors. As the Coalition intended, it has been the catalyst for the renovation and leasing of once-vacant properties. As a result, the perception in the real estate community is that the Village has succeeded in reversing the further decline of Franklin Avenue. However, for a variety of reasons, including the proximity of Roosevelt Field and the radius clauses in the mall's leases, major national retailers remain unconvinced of the long-term viability of Franklin Avenue as a retail destination, including retailers currently located here.

While the design parameters of their area may vary due to use, traffic flow and size of properties, the major property owners north of Eleventh Street feel it is extremely important that the architectural treatment of the "power center" be no less dramatic than the transformation to the south.

2. The Business Improvement District (BID)

The Chamber has formed a committee that is working diligently to investigate every aspect and implication of forming a BID, or any economic development model that may apply. I have named Vice President Ross Mongiardo as chairperson of the committee. They are studying the respective roles of the Village government and the Chamber in its formation and operation. You will be receiving a letter from Mongiardo shortly addressing specific issues on the BID.

3. The Parking and Buffer Strip Plan (the Parking Plan)

The Coalition's Report recommended the immediate implementation of the Village's Parking Plan. When the Village voted not to do so, the Property Owners' Association of Garden City Estates, Inc. passed a resolution on March 24, 1999 reconfirming its March 5, 1997 resolution endorsing all aspects of the Coalition's Report, including taking the necessary actions to implement the Village's Parking Plan. On June 17, 1999 the Village Trustees authorized the Planning Commission to hire a consultant to evaluate the availability of parking in the Franklin Avenue Business District and to report back to the Trustees as soon as possible. It is our understanding that the Village's consultant, Buckhurst, Fish & Jacquemart, Inc., is completing its report and is expected to submit its findings to the Planning Commission on Feb. 9. We have offered to assist the Planning Commission in its deliberations.

Progress Report:

To date, all of the office space and basement space in 855 Franklin Avenue has been leased. However, despite a 2-year marketing effort, 15,000 square feet of retail space remain vacant.

The 888 Building was acquired in July 1997. Following a 2-year marketing effort that required a modification of the Village's Zoning Law to permit food retail, a lease was secured with Kings Super Markets, Inc. for a 15,000 SF upscale market in August 1999. A total gut renovation of the building is under way and the store is scheduled to open in May 2000.

The owners of 840 (formerly known as Frankel's), 850 and 860 Franklin Avenue, leased 850 to the very successful Waterzooi restaurant. The same restaurateur recently leased 860 Franklin with plans to open a smokehouse and oyster bar restaurant.

901 Franklin (formerly occupied by Salomon Smith Barney) has been sold by its owner to magnetic tape maker TDK Electronics, which plans to move its headquarters from Port Washington to Garden City. Although TDK's purchase eliminates a prominent vacancy, it's a blow to efforts to attract retailers to Franklin Avenue, by eliminating the retail continuity deemed essential by prospective retail tenants.

What's Next?

There are currently over 91,000 square feet of office space and 85,600 square feet of retail space now vacant in the buildings lining Franklin Avenue from Stewart Avenue to Twelfth Street. Faced with this high vacancy rate, the Chamber, the Village and property owners must redouble their respective efforts to improve the CBD. It is with this in mind that we recommend the following:

Continue the implementation of the Business Planning Coalition's major recommendations.

(a) This includes the completion of all of the elements of the Streetscape Improvement Project, the main objective of which is to "calm" the traffic along Franklin Avenue and make it possible to cross safely. The project originally included the installation of mid-block crosswalks and the appropriate timing of traffic lights, both requiring the approval of Nassau County. It is urged that the Village take whatever steps are necessary to obtain county approval and perform the necessary work. As stated earlier, completing the project north of Eleventh Street will be necessary for retention as well as to attract new tenancies.

In our discussions with the May Company and Saks Incorporated, it was very clear that they were very impressed with Kuhl's plans and the investment made by the Village for lower Franklin Avenue.

We would like to see an inclusive planning process commenced as soon as possible wherein the retailers and office building owners could meet with Kuhl, and discuss how we can enhance this area, which is the most important area for maintenance and growth in the tax base. The Chamber will make every effort to facilitate the communication with the pertinent parties.

(b) We look forward to intense efforts and cooperation in determining the most effective economic development mechanism for sustainable growth of our business community. The Chamber is the lobbying group for the business community and doesn't have the capacity to raise the funds necessary for an effective marketing program. The Village can't legally market and advertise, but a BID can, and Village businesses and merchants would benefit greatly from a well-coordinated marketing and advertising campaign.

(c) Respond promptly to the recommendations of the Planning Commission. The Village's consultant has taken much too long to study a problem that has already been subject to exhaustive study. Please be prepared to act upon their recommendations without further delay.

Our Board will soon deliberate on additional recommendations to enhance the planning process in the Village in order to be able to present to potential tenants and investors a comprehensive approved plan for the business districts in which they can have confidence. We look forward to working with the Board in ensuring a prosperous future for Garden City.

Bertram F. Donley

President

Garden City Chamber of Commerce