On Aug. 31, the executive board of the West Hempstead Civic Association (WHCA) met with representatives of Trammell Crow Residential Developers, which is currently in contract with the owners of the Courtesy Hotel. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss plans to redevelop the Courtesy Hotel Property. WHCA President Rosalie Norton said that the plan would require a zoning change from commercial/light industrial to residential and a request to increase density.

Based on the results of the Courtesy Redevelopment Poll conducted by the WHCA, residential use of the property would be acceptable. Respondents favored upscale residential units at market rates with no age restrictions or income caps.

The meeting with the developers focused on the number of rental units, size of units, number of occupants per unit, management, architectural features, landscaping and street enhancements as well as tax benefits to West Hempstead. The agreements reached by Trammell Crow Residential and the owners of the Courtesy are the result of private negotiations between the two parties. This is important because once the zoning changes are granted, construction could begin in the very foreseeable future. It was noted that a private sale of the property is a far superior alternative to the Town of Hempstead trying to acquire the property through legal means, which could take years.

"This has been a long time in coming," said Norton. "The plans we are seeing today represent a vast improvement to this part of our community. It is the beginning of a redevelopment process to enhance the eastern entrance to West Hempstead. We know the community is anxious to see and learn about the plans. What I want to emphasize, and it is extremely important to understand, the contract between Trammell Crow and the owners of the Courtesy is a result of the two parties reaching an agreement regarding the selling price."

At the request of the WHCA, representatives from Trammell Crow Residential Developers will be attending the WHCA General Meeting, scheduled for Oct. 11, to present their plan to the community. Norton said, "This will be an excellent opportunity for our residents to offer comments and ask questions. I hope their enthusiasm will match ours."

For those unfamiliar with Trammell Crow Residential, it is a nationally recognized company who develops, acquires and constructs residential units. The stated goals of the company are that they are committed to high quality standards, to enhance the lifestyles of the residents and the communities of which they are a part and provide superior value for renters. To date, they have residential and commercial developments in more than 50 cities nationwide and have developed more than 200,000 residential units since 1980.

The WHCA encourages everyone to attend the General Meeting on October 11, 2006. The meeting will start promptly at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the WH Middle School cafeteria, 450 Nassau Blvd. Call 733-0879 or visit our website www.westhempsteadcivic.org