The way people live and shop - and live where they shop and vice versa - has changed dramatically over the years. From the earliest days of cyber-shopping the clock has been ticking for brick-and-mortar retail. But, new developments on Long Island (and nationwide) have been responding to the demands of both younger and older generations who actually want to cohabitate with retail shopping centers.

 

Builders on Long Island are scrambling to adapt older sites to a new model of mixed-use developments, close to transit centers with walkable retail outlets closeby or even integrated right into their residential apartment complexes.

 

The Macys store on Northern Blvd. in Manhasset might be getting such a treatment.

 

Richard Murdocco, a public policy and planning expert who teaches in the public policy graduate program at Stony Brook University, wrote about the new project proposed by Brookfield Properties. In his article, titled “The Marvelous Macy’s Makeover… Maybe,”  Murdocco says that the “seas of parking surrounding the Manhasset store presents a new opportunity for development — if it ever gets approved.”

 

The developer has been making the rounds pitching a $400 million mixed-use project for the site they are calling Manhasset Square.

 

Community leaders and residents have been comming out in opposition to the plan.

 

According to Murdocco, the project is composed of 355 rental apartments, 72,000 square feet of office and 73,400 square feet of newly created retail space, and a 200-room hotel. The Manhasset Macy’s would remain. The project is projected to be completed in 2023.