As has been expected for some years, it is now definite that the Waldbaum's supermarket will leave Americana Manhasset in March, 2002. At a town board meeting on Aug. 21, Americana officials presented a site plan for the premises after the supermarket closes. The site plan was approved unanimously by the board.

The synopsis of the site plan given to the public at the meeting reads: "The applicant seeks to replace an approximately 27,000 square foot supermarket with 24,700 square feet of retail space and 6,880 square feet of restaurant space."

Americana owner Frank Castagna began by introducing himself and thanking Supervisor May Newburger and the board for hearing his presentation. "In 1988," he said, "the offices of Peter Marino and Associates, a leading worldwide architectural firm, was asked to develop a master plan for the complete renovation of Americana. As a result of that decision, a master plan was agreed upon. That plan was followed almost to the letter.

"Section I, as redeveloped, started with the opening in 1991 of Polo and was finished in 1998 with the opening of Tiffany. Section II had Prada and Escada opening in 1997 and with such stores as London Jewelers, Coach and Burberry. Section III had Armani opening in 1996, as well as such stores as Brooks Brothers, Christofle and Williams Sonoma. And our new Section IV has a planned opening for August of 2003--15 years after the design of a master plan to the planned opening of the new Section IV.

"As many of you may already know, Americana Manhasset celebrates 2001 as its 45th anniversary. As a point of further reference, who here remembers the opening of Franklin Simon on Oct. 11, 1956; J. J. Newberry on Aug. 20, 1956; Lewis & Conger in 1956 and The Cinema in August, 1957? We look forward to a 50th anniversary celebration of Americana, Manhasset on Oct. 11, 2006."

Mr. Castagna was followed by attorney Peter Mineo who said that the new plan would include retail stores, restaurants and offices. There will be 951 parking spaces. He said that the proposal to demolish Waldbaum's and Naples restaurant would result in a net increase of 1,680 square feet. He said that no restaurant has been selected but the "worst case scenario" or the most that will be considered will be a restaurant with 350 seats. He said that one parking space would be lost in the transition, leaving a surplus of more than 2005 spaces. No variance is necessary for the restaurant as it is a conditional use.

Architect Greg Redams represented the firm that has been responsible for the last 30 Americana storefronts. He said that another walkway will be included in the new design. The footprint of the new building will be 3500 square feet smaller than the present one.

Engineer Gerard Giosa was asked about the roadway that currently wraps around Waldbaum's. He said that whereas the present roadway varies between 15 and 22 feet wide, the proposed roadway will be a uniform 24 feet wide. "We expect the traffic volume to be reduced," he said. "The traffic generation of a supermarket is more than double that of retail space.

Prior to the town board hearing, Americana representatives had met with civic leaders from the Strathmores as well as with Park District Commissioners Patricia Roberts and Bernard Rolston. President James Cunningham of the Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations, said that they all agreed that Americana has been a good neighbor and appreciated being informed of its future plans.

With the departure of Waldbaum's, Manhasset will be left without a supermarket, pending the resolution of plans for a King Kullen in the Filene's shopping center. The developers of the King Kullen store are still in litigation with some residents. There now seems to be universal agreement that a supermarket is needed, but concerns are still being voiced as to the traffic that a King Kullen at the junction of Shelter Rock Road and Northern Boulevard will produce. Some critics also object to the size of King Kullen's proposed store, arguing that a smaller market would satisfy the needs of the community and generate less traffic. Developers allege that a smaller market would not be financially viable.Today's supermarkets are much larger than those in the past, as was demonstrated when the owners of the building in which the Genovese store is located were unable to find a supermarket tenant for their building, due to its size.