County Approves $8M Transit-Oriented Farmingdale Apartments

The proposal for an $8 million apartment project in downtown Farmingdale has been approved and is expected to give Nassau County a $21.4 million economic boost, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency announced Wednesday.

This project will offer new rental options to residents and provide a boost to businesses in downtown Farmingdale and eastern Nassau.

Mangano said his administration has made it a priority to increase the number of transit-oriented housing options across Nassau County, which is lacking in rental housing compared to other areas in the tri-state.

“My economic development team and I have helped create 1,350 new rental housing opportunities and this project, in the heart of Farmingdale, brings additional rental options to the neighborhood while generating millions in economic benefits for our local economy,” Mangano said in a statement.

The rental units have been approved, are under construction or are already built. This compact, which was approved by the IDA board at its meeting on Tuesday, will allow Cornerstone at Farmingdale to construct a 42-unit apartment building at 100 Secatogue Ave. The building will be a close distance to the Long Island Rail Road.

About 10 percent of the new apartments would be set aside as affordable units.

The construction, which will begin in the fall and be completed by summer 2016, is expected to create 20 construction jobs and one permanent position.

Long Island is significantly lagging in providing suburban rental housing, according to the Nassau County Executive’s office. Long Island Index reports that rental properties on Long Island represent 21 percent of all housing, compared to 35 percent in Westchester and southwestern Connecticut and 37 percent in northern New Jersey.

“The Village of Farmingdale applauds the IDA and County Executive Mangano for their continuing efforts to bring workforce housing to our downtown.” Farmingdale Village Mayor Ralph Ekstrand said in a statement.

Image of the proposed location for apartment buildings via Google Maps