Terwilliger & Bartone Properties took a bottom up approach to their development project in Lynbrook and the plan seemed to have worked. The developer is planning a 4-story luxury rental apartment complex for the Lynbrook Motor Inn site at 5 Freer Street in Lynbrook, also known as the Capri Motel.

 

On a website reached through their official company page, teardowncapri.com, the Farmingdale-based developer said that the usual method is to draw up plans and submit them to the local government to review and then for public comment.

 

In their case they flipped the script.

 

“However, when crafting the vision to Tear Down the Capri Motel, Terwilliger & Bartone Properties completely flipped this model upside down by going to the community first to listen and obtain input before specific plans were crafted for a collaborative path forward to replace the nuisance property.”

 

They also have a Facebook page that touts their grassroots approach. The message is one that some residents already agree with: the property is a problem and needs to be torn down and replaced with something better for the community. Complaints and along with drug and prostitution arrests at or near  the location have caused concern for residents.

 

Photo: Terwilliger & Bartone Properties Facebook page.

 

Various images and videos on the pages show the motel being knocked down by a wrecking ball or images of the motel emblazoned with the words “Lynbrook Deserves Better.”

 

The plan, approved by the village board late last year, is to build a 4-story, 80-unit apartment building. A representative for the builder said that there will be a mix of 28 studio apartments, 44 1-bedrooms and eight 2-bedrooms. Monthly rent for these units will be $2,300 for the studios, $2,800 for the 1-bedrooms, and $3,500 for a 2-bedroom. This is a residential-only project so there will be no commercial portion.

 

If all goes well, the builder plans to begin construction this Spring and take leases by Summer 2021. The projected finish for the apartment building is Fall 2021.

 

Amenities planned for residents include a fitness center, clubroom, courtyard, and an elevator. The apartments will feature high ceilings, quartz counters, stainless appliances,  a washer and dryer in every unit, and central air.

 

There will be one parking space per bedroom plus four additional spaces available.

 

The project was also preliminarily approved for a PILOT program. According to a local news report there will be a 20-year phase in of taxes that starts at $221,000 and will increase over the 20 years to more than $1 million in taxes.