While in the process of gathering public comment on their development proposal for St. Paul's, AvalonBay's vice president of development Matthew Whalen, a Garden City resident himself, met with the local media earlier this month to present the company's vision for the historic property.

"We are very excited about the project," Whalen said, adding, "I think we are proposing something closer to what everyone wants than everyone thinks."

AvalonBay, the exclusive developer the board agreed to move forward with for the re-development of St. Paul's, is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that develops, re-develops, acquires and manages luxury apartment communities, currently owning or holding ownership in 171 apartment communities, including communities in Long Beach, Smithtown, Melville, Coram and Glen Cove.

AvalonBay communities attract mainly young couples, specifically 45 percent under the age of 35 and 25 percent over the age of 55.

The current proposal for St. Paul's calls for 99 luxury apartments (62 in the existing building) with room for community use. There's been recent validation that new construction is needed to make AvalonBay's project financially feasible, although Whalen assured it would be contextual, high-class construction and would not in any way affect the playing fields. Currently, 37 additional units in new construction are proposed.

Overall, AvalonBay's project achieves the board's primary objectives for the historic building, including preservation of St. Paul's, a ground lease to enable the village to maintain title on the property and $1 million in upfront payments and $200,000 in annual ground lease payments to the village.

However, questions still remain.

Deputy Mayor John Mauk, chair of the Mayor's Committee on St. Paul's, who has on more than one occasion noted that this proposal is just that - a proposal - and not what the village has approved for St. Paul's, said all or many of the project's details are subject to negotiation and may or may not be included in AvalonBay's final proposal.

"Avalon has indicated the need for additional development. What's an appropriate level of additional development?" Mauk asked.

"Parking is a big issue we are working through," he continued. "In the RFP, we wanted all underground parking but it's very, very expensive." Underground parking could cost in upward of $25 million, with village contribution necessary.

Whalen, who understands many kinks still need to be ironed out, added, "Public comment is very important to us. We've heard a lot of things brought up [that] we didn't think of ... We learned through the RFP process what's practical and what's not. We are currently trying to work out a balance where AvalonBay gets a reasonable profit and Garden City gets a reasonable return."

Whalen is confidant AvalonBay could gain public consensus, a major factor Senator Kemp Hannon needs to assure home rule legislation and relief from the parkland designation.

Whalen has begun meeting with various village organizations, including the four property owners' associations and the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, which will host Whalen at its Jan. 9 kick-off luncheon at The Garden City Hotel.

The Mayor's Committee on St. Paul's believes AvalonBay's proposal is attractive and has the potential to enhance the village in many ways, in addition to preserving the front façade and other historic features of the Main Building

Further, a Village Facts explaining the process up until now, went to the printer Dec. 6 and should be arriving in residents' mailboxes before the holidays. Mauk said a formal public presentation is expected early next year.