The Village of New Hyde Park held a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 3 for a proposed office building at 99 Lakeville Road. iSurply, a supplier of orthopedic equipment at 612 Jericho Turnpike, was represented by Ari Alayev at the hearing. iSurply wants to construct a two-story building with retail stores on the ground floor, and keep iSurply’s business on the second floor.
The village board reserved a decision pending on approval from the Nassau County Planning Commission. The applicant will have to appear before the village’s zoning and architectural review boards.
“We’re looking to add to the Village of New Hyde Park in a greater way,” Alayev said. “We want to increase the value of the neighborhood.”
There will be four storefronts on the ground floor, a warehouse and professional office space on the second floor, which iSurply will partially occupy. iSurply is also seeking to occupy one of the four storefronts in an effort to expand its retail presence.
Alayev said the company’s brick-and-mortar outlet will offer the public a variety of medial equipment including wheelchairs, hospital beds, canes, walkers and crutches.
iSurply, which occupies 1,100-square-feet at its current location, plans to have other professional occupants on the second floor. Should the application be approved, the Lakeville Road location will become the main headquarters.
New Hyde Park Resident Joseph Wlodarczyk expressed concern
over traffic concerns, specifically that all vehicle traffic will be on Brooklyn Avenue.
“Getting out of Brooklyn Avenue at 3 p.m. with the lights the way they are configured now, and I’m worried about this adding to an already existing traffic problem,” he said. “I’m all for beautifying New Hyde Park, and I’m thankful for the building, but the traffic concerns me.”
Another concern brought up was having stores other than retail, such as food suppliers and bars, occupy the store fronts, which Superintendent of Public Works Tom Gannon said, “the only thing they have right to if approved is retail, that’s what they’re applying for.”
New Hyde Park Mayor Robert Lofaro acknowledged the points being made, and said “they’re valid questions.”
Anthony Lopez, owner of 99 Lakeville Road and landlord for Alayev, attended the meeting and praised Alayev of “understanding how the village operates and its people – I’ve never had any problems with him.”
“We have a vested interest in the neighborhood, and I think to bring people to the area for this kind of business would be a great addition,” Lopez said.
Village trustee Donald Barbieri suggested dressing the location up with greenery, which Lopez and Alayez are in favor of doing.
According to Lopez, an environmental study has been conducted on the location, and said “everything is fine,” and is in contact with Village Attorney Ben Truncale in submitting the study to the village.
Alayev said they are “expanding aggressively,” with a goal to grow the companies employees from the current eight to 25 at 99 Lakeville Road within the next year.
Alayev also said iSurply is looking into having satellite offices around the five boroughs, and expanding into upstate New York.
Red Light Cameras A ‘No-Go?’
Mayor Lofaro said he along with Village Attorney Ben Truncale and Superintendent of Public Works Tom Gannon recently met with Hon. John G Marks and Christopher Mistron, who run the Nassau County Red Light Camera Program.
Lofaro said they explained their position that the intersection is a poor selection for a red light camera, largely due to backup from the Long Island Rail Road Station south of the intersection, and its the village’s understanding that a red light camera will not be put at that location.
“They’ve moved onto to other locations, and they will come back at some point an remove all the above grade and anchoring systems they put in place for the cameras,” Lofaro said. “We expressed to them that we’re not against red light cameras per-say, but this particular intersection is not suitable.”
