August 20, 2008
Joye Brown: Civic leaders unite on a mission to renew Elmont
Could some superstore be coming to Elmont? That would be a
big yes - if a coalition of local civic groups is successful in wooing a major retailer.
What about a Marriott Hotel? A majority of the groups would love that, too.
Supermarket chains? Well, four big ones already have expressed interest in occupying an old movie theater.
That comes as welcome news to a community where residents now fan out to major chain outlets in Franklin Square, West Hempstead and Floral Park.
The big news in Elmont yesterday was release of a 100-page community visioning plan, the result of a two-year effort where residents dreamed of an Elmont-to-be.
But civic leaders aren't waiting for Nassau County, the Town of Hempstead or New York State to take a lead.
"We've been here so many times before," Patrick Nicolosi, one of many in an active coalition of civic leaders, said as TV cameras were being packed following a news conference.
"In '92, I could show you a place in Jamaica Square where politicians showed us drawings for beautiful housing and all we have there is empty lots," he said.
Not this time, civics vow.
Nicolosi said he had spoken to execs at a major retailer. "We have another member who is trying to meet with Marriott."
And then he called over to Sandra Smith, co-chairwoman of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development; Claudine Hall, president of the Jamaica Square Improvement League; and Mimi Pierre-Johnson, president of the Argo Civic Association.
"Why deal with politicians?" he said.
"Why not go to community members and a community that has an open mind? We're screaming, we're open for business. Come look at Elmont!"
Smith agreed - an extraordinary event because there was a time she and Nicolosi weren't speaking.
"People see us walking down the street together now and they say, Oh my God," Smith said.
Small victory, to be sure. The coalition hopes to build on its other small victories. And they had a hand in getting more police presence and faster cleanup during the Belmont fair.
The problem between Nicolosi and Smith was that Nicolosi is a 45-year resident, while Smith had moved to Elmont a mere 10 years ago.
"Elmont is very diverse," Smith said. "And when you come in and see your neighbors, you think you are not the same because things look so different, physically. But when you sit down at the table, and talk, you realize that internally, we're all the same."
And then she and Nicolosi say, almost in unison: "We are all looking for the same things."
Then they ask Hall, a 42-year resident, for an update on the Marriott. "I've got some investments with a firm and I've asked them to get me in touch with the guys who handle Marriott's business dealings," she said.
"I haven't heard back," she said, "so I will be calling back this afternoon."
Pierre-Johnson, meanwhile, cues up images on her camera. They're from June 1, when 500 Elmont residents - many for the first time - visited Belmont as guests of the New York Racing Association.
In one photo, a smiling Hall wears a wide, fancy hat. In another, Pierre-Johnson poses with Sam the Bugler. There's also a photo of Sonic Sound, winning the fifth race - when residents got to present the trophy.
"And to think," Hall said, "in all those years, all I'd done before was smell Belmont."
And then the neighbors, who meet regularly together, with NYRA and public officials, really got going.
"We want it all, businesses, housing, jobs for the children," Smith said.
"We're fighting for the present and the future," Hall said. "And we're not going to stand by and wait anymore."
But Elmont has seen much talk of improvement. Why so optimistic this time?
"We all hung out in our little sections - East End, Jamaica Square, etc. - for so long," Nicolosi said.
"We don't do that anymore," he said. "We are all saying the same thing. It's the 1-1-0-0-3, Elmont."
Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.
