The Town of Hempstead has asked for Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for firms to submit in order to redevelop the area in West Hempstead that includes the Courtesy Hotel. The Requests for Qualifications were printed in the Nov. 19 issue of Newsday and The New York Times.

The West Hempstead Redevelopment Site has been an area the Town of Hempstead has been working on this year. In May, the town adopted a blight study for the site, which includes the Courtesy Hotel, which members of the West Hempstead Civic Association have been lobbying the town to close for years.

Firms that answer the RFQ will provide their qualifications, background on other projects they have done, and conceptual idea of something they would like to develop. Ten different developers have already done a walk-through of the site.

The due date for the RFQ is Dec. 15. The qualifications will then be reviewed and qualified developers will then be asked for proposals that will include more detailed plans for the site.

According to a Town of Hempstead spokesperson, the town will be working with the community and the civic association as the project moves forward.

One developer, Trammel Crow Residential, was said to be in contract with the owners of the Courtesy Hotel to develop the property for an upscale apartment complex. However, the town is proceeding with its process of redeveloping the area.

- Joe Rizza