We visited the Mariner's Walk office of Renaissance Properties on Audrey Avenue on Thursday, Oct. 12, to meet with Mike Picker of Renaissance Properties and Paul Lancy of the Islanders and Island Properties, to hear about what they have been doing. We had met with Mr. Lancy in July when he said they were aware that things were taking a long time in Oyster Bay but that they were working toward some goals on the property that Charles Wang owns.

It appears now, that cutting down their holdings and focusing on those remaining will help make things happen. They had 80 properties in the hamlet and 21 were put up for sale. Mike Picker said of the 21 on the market; three are sold and five are in contract and having appraisals and legal work done. The 21 chosen for sale were not their core properties but were scattered throughout the area.

Much like an athletic team, they have a plan book with colored photos of each property with a detailed list of what needs to be done on each one and how much it will cost.

They have completed several projects in what they termed the Gateway area of the hamlet. They renovated the house at 9 Berry Hill Road [where Carmen Electra did a commercial] was beautifully restored on the interior and exterior. The house is across the road from the triangle property which they are still talking to the Town of Oyster Bay about, to close a deal on the property which will be used for the A. Phimister Proctor equestrian statue of Theodore Roosevelt.

The new HSBC bank looks great- with more detail to the building than they need to have chosen. The two-story building with French doors on two levels creates a great open feeling. The Siegel Fenchel Peddy building at 240 South Street is lovely outside and in - the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce members saw photographs of the interior at a recent meeting.

The two sites, Not Just Art and For Pets Only are now sister buildings with matching blue and white trim that flank a pristine Victorian charmer.

Mariner's Walk is in the process of going up. It should have a tenant in January or February. One apartment is sold and there are five condos in contract, they said.

The Bernstein Hardware building predicted for the Pine Hollow area will not happen, instead Lloyd Bernstein is looking at locations in the hamlet to re-locate to.

The Uwe's project that would have created a three-story apartment house on South Street has been scaled back to a renovation job for the downstairs business with rental apartments above, much as it was before.

Renaissance Properties has renovated three houses on Hamilton Avenue which they are very proud of. The NAPA building on South Street is still in the planning phase.

Mr. Lancy said there are dozens and dozens of projects completed, but added, "Maybe not the one that someone wants completed."

Mr. Picker added they can't make everyone happy but they have set their goals and are willing to make the major investment needed to get them to a higher level.

They envision Oyster Bay as a walkable community where people come for the village lifestyle.

Interestingly, they are still in the buying mode if a good property turns up, said the men.

So now we know what the plan is: bring new people to the hamlet who will in turn attract new businesses to the area.

As for AvalonBay Communities, they see a new proposal with less houses to conform to what the town will allow, as a good thing. Renaissance Properties is in favor of AvalonBay Communities doing a scaled back project at the Hallock site they now own. It means more people to them, more traffic as they said.

All we can say is that what we have seen is "top drawer". Things may be taking longer than expected, longer than wanted, but probably not longer than needed.

As you are aware, not to mention names, but some developers cut corners and go to work without needed permits. Some developers make the outside of a property look nice while they have stripped the interior of its antique fireplaces and moldings for ease of construction.

So it appears the hamlet is well in that area.

It's not easy to "Bring up a village," but Charles Wang surely is doing his best to create a better Oyster Bay.

As we chatted with them word came that they have rented the retail space next door to a gourmet business. Mr. Lancy said they are talking to two Sushi restaurateurs interested in the hamlet. They see the hamlet as ripe for different kinds of restaurants.

Mr. Picker was optimistic. "As long as people 'see our vision' we're going to make the investment needed to make it happen."

As to the Eastern Waterfront - they are not making any plans currently. They are happy with the town's restoration of the marina saying it is going in the right direction.

The men are planning to meet with the media on a quarterly basis. It was a pleasure to talk to them. We wish we had more time to talk about what is happening, but we are looking forward to adding to the story.