Last week, the Town of Hempstead Board unanimously approved a blight study for the Argo Theatre area at Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont. The study is seen as the first step toward a revitalization for an area that is in desperate need of one.

"I am thrilled that the town board has adopted the blight study for the former Argo Theater in Elmont and has declared the area appropriate for urban renewal. We are looking forward to revitalizing the local business district, possibly with a supermarket, and making a great community even better," said Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray. "Hempstead Town is committed to a revitalized Elmont, jointly funding a visioning project with the county. We are expanding our streetscape beautification work on Elmont Road, adding brick-paved walkways and Victorian streetlights. What's more, our township is looking toward starting a façade improvement program to rehabilitate business storefronts along Hempstead Turnpike."

Recently, Assemblyman Tom Alfano and Senator Dean Skelos secured $2.5 million in state funds to be spent on the revitalization of that area. "The blight study presents a unique opportunity for us to focus our efforts to redevelop that area," said Alfano. "The Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development has worked very hard in the visioning process and I believe we need to be a partner with the coalition and not just do spot studies that don't address the overall needs of the community."

The blight study, prepared for the Town of Hempstead Department of Planning and Economic Development by Saccardi & Schiff, Inc., identifies the blight study area as the area located on the south side of Hempstead Turnpike between Elmont Road and the properties opposite the intersection of Plainview Avenue, east of a property containing a county water facility, west of Elmont Road and north of Foster Meadow Lane.

The portion of Elmont contains commercial and residential land uses, including the former Argo Theatre, which was constructed in 1950, and is now occupied by a $1 store. The urban renewal plan states, "The data collected for this study support a conclusion that the Argo Theatre/Elmont Road study area is sufficiently blighted to warrant the preparation of an Urban Renewal Plan...Such a plan should consider redevelopment and/or re-use options for the study area, given factors such as building and lot conditions and underutilized properties.

Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino, co-chairperson of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development, said he believes the next step is to take a community survey to see if a supermarket, which has been talked about being needed for the Elmont community, is suitable for that area. "I want to do whatever I can for the community and to give the community what it wants. However, we also have to recognize that that is somewhat valuable property. I think the supermarket is ideal," he said.

Sandra Smith, the other co-chairperson of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development, said she was excited to hear that $2.5 million was coming to Elmont from the state. "That area fits in with the complete revitalization that we're trying to do on Hempstead Turnpike from one end of the border of Queens and Elmont to the border of Elmont and Franklin Square," she said. "We have a number of community residents that are interested in seeing a really nice supermarket and all the other areas of Hempstead Turnpike that were looked at, it was totally impossible to even consider because there just wasn't enough parking in the area."

Because there are properties that are owned by various companies, the process of redeveloping that area may involve the town entering into eminent domain proceedings.