Farmingdale Bond Rating Up Two Points; Development, Improvements Underway

Farmingdale Village announced Friday that taxes are within the 2 percent tax cap limit and that the Standard and Poor’s Bond rating for the Village is up two points to AA.

In addition, transit-oriented development, redevelopment, and infrastructure improvements will benefit residents and the public, at no cost to taxpayers, officials said.

What's more two major development projects are underway at the Farmingdale Train Station and another redevelopment project on Main Street is about to begin.  

Mayor Ralph Ekstrand said “multimillion dollar development projects will bring housing, jobs, economic activity and great adaptive re-use to the community.”

In November, Bartone/TDI broke ground on Jefferson Plaza, a transit-oriented development project (a smart growth project) on a 154-unit development adjacent to the Long Island Rail Road Station with 20,000 square feet of retail space. Excavation of the site is completed, construction is ongoing and expected to be finished in 18 months. Pedestrian-covered walkways are completed. Development updates for Jefferson Plaza are posted on the village website.

Staller Associates is about to start demolition at 231 Main Street, in a project that will bring 3,100 square feet of retail and 26 apartments. Also 285 Eastern Parkway will be redeveloped with 27 units of apartments.

New York State Department of Transportation has approved new left hand turning lanes on Main Street at the Conklin Street intersection. This will enhance traffic flow through the Downtown, village officials said. The Secatogue Avenue and Conklin Street intersection will be getting a right hand turn arrow (at the Valero Gas Station) to facilitate traffic flow.

In addition to the development projects, Nassau County provided $1 million in funding to Farmingdale Village, to help rebuild sections of Main Street. The reconstruction underway consists of safer pedestrian-friendly curb lines, resurfacing of Main Street, and improving sidewalks are underway.

Phase one consists of new sidewalks from the railroad tracks to Northside School as well curbing and road re-surfacing in this section. This phase is expected to be completed by the end of April.

Phase two will encompass sidewalks and drainage, between Conklin Street through South Front Street, which is expected to be completed in May.