County to Announce Deal for Apartment/Retail Project

Nassau County is proposing a $28.3 million spending package to build apartments and retail stores near the Farmingdale LIRR station downtown.

County Executive Edward P. Mangano plans to make the announcement along with representatives of the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency at 11 a.m. Thursday. The project has been in discussion for years.

The proposal will provide affordable rental options for young professionals in Nassau County and provide a boost to businesses in downtown Farmingdale, according to a statement issued Wednesday by Mangano's office.

Nassau County and local public officials will be in attendance, including Legislators Joe Belesi, Rose Walker and Michael Venditto; Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand; Greg Belew, executive vice president of TDI Real Estate Holdings LLC; and Anthony Bartone, developer and manager of Bartone Properties, LLC.

The event is to take place at 120 Secatogue Ave, Farmingdale, the site of Bartone's long-proposed renovation project within sight of the LIRR station at Farmingdale.

Bartone, a native of Farmingdale and graduate of Farmingdale High School, has proposed the development of that property at Secatogue and South Front Street to include a hotel and the retail and apartment complex for several years and have progressed through various stages of approvals and development.

In an interview with Patch last year, Bartone described the project as "transformational" for Farmingdale, capitalizes on its train station and will serve to attract young professionals to the community.