Todd Fabricant, head of the Cerro Wire Coalition that led the fight against construction of a mega-mall on the former Cerro Wire property, predicted that the development of the site by its new owners “will be ‘smart growth’…a mini-city with retail shops, residential units, parks and trees.”
At the same time, he said, “You won’t see a shovel in the ground for two or three years.”
Fabricant spoke at the monthly meeting of the Birchwood Civic Association, Feb. 26 at Jackson Elementary School in Jericho.
“The Cerro Wire Coalition is staying in place as plans move forward,” Fabricant said, noting that the new owners “want us as a partner for the community at large.”
The new owner of the former Taubman-owned property is Oyster Bay Realty, comprising the Albanese Organization, a real estate developer; Castagna Realty, owner of the Americana in Manhasset and Wheatley Plaza in Roslyn; and the Simon Property Group, owner of The Source, Walt Whitman and Roosevelt Field malls.
Howard Avrutine, a director of the BCA board, said it’s “much too early to discuss details,” but he assured the group that the new owners of the Cerro Wire property are “committed to alternative development and mixed usage” of the 93 acres off Robbins Lane that it now owns.
Avrutine said that the new owners “don’t want to go through a fight as they move forward with their development plans. They view the community as stakeholders. They understand the importance of community support.”
Other topics covered at the meeting were the development of the vacant lot, formerly a gas station, at the Merry Lane-Jericho Turnpike intersection. Plans call for the establishment of a TD Bank there, and permits are going through the approval process.
The group also discussed on-street parking on Merry Lane by the new Vintage restaurant, which some residents said can create traffic congestion and driving problems.
BCA member Richard Turkisher informed the group that BCA members are now receiving a subscription to The Jericho-Syosset News Journal, instead of the Syosset-Jericho Tribune.
About 20 people attended, prompting a discussion of how to attract more members. Some suggested reaching out to the growing number of immigrants moving to Jericho.
