Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the groundbreaking and toured the site of a nearly $112 million mixed-use transit-oriented development in downtown Hicksville, one of the key funding projects to come out of the community’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding program awarded by the State. The 189-unit housing and retail development will transform an underutilized property adjacent to the Long Island Railroad station and advance both the local community’s goals and the Governor’s housing priorities for the State.
“This latest DRI project will help to jumpstart the local economy by bringing nearly 200 new homes, vibrant retail space, and plenty of underground parking right off the Long Island Rail Road,” Governor Hochul said. “The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is helping communities across our state unlock opportunity, reach their climate goals, address the housing shortage and create new jobs, and with this investment, we’re giving the Town of Oyster Bay the tools it needs to build a beautiful, bustling downtown.”
The 99 Newbridge Road transit-oriented development (TOD) is being developed by AR Hicksville LLC and will provide a mix of residential units, including 19 apartments designated as workforce housing. Additionally, it will provide over 7,000 square feet of retail and a landscaped public plaza serving its residents and the community.
This development brings new business activity and housing to downtown Hicksville, one of the key goals the Hamlet of Hicksville established as part of its $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative 2017 award. The project was identified as one of the community’s DRI priority projects and was awarded $1 Million in DRI funds. This development will anchor and support many business ventures to attract visitors and residents to the area that will become the center of amenities and promote cross-traffic between retail activity.
The remainder of the State’s $10 million DRI investment in Hicksville is funding Town projects that enhance access and pedestrian spaces in the vicinity of the LIRR station. These initiatives include pedestrian safety enhancements, walkability improvements and beautification along portions of Broadway (Route 107) and Newbridge Road, as well as the creation of new open spaces and a festival plaza. Designs for all of these projects are underway.
The DRI planning process and resulting final plan involved an extensive community engagement process that identified local priorities and the funding for these projects is now advancing those priorities. The mixed-use development, combined with the Town’s public realm improvement projects bring to reality the Hicksville community’s vision of a vibrant downtown that reflects its “main street” character while improving opportunities for local business owners and incorporating new housing markets to create a model community.
New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “Once again the Downtown Revitalization Initiative continues to enhance the fabric of our downtown communities by providing housing opportunities for people of all incomes, backgrounds and abilities. The construction of the 99 Newbridge Housing Complex brings diversity of housing and provides an essential component of a downtown’s vibrancy, bringing us closer to realizing the Governor’s visionary housing goals and policies in New York State.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Today's groundbreaking rewrites the story of an underutilized property as Hicksville's exciting new chapter - one of vibrancy, accessibility, and inclusive growth. By bridging the LIRR and affordable housing with retail spaces, this transit-oriented, mixed-use development reenvisions Hicksville’s downtown as a promising hub of connectivity where residents and businesses can thrive."
Empire State Development Board Chairman Kevin Law said, "As shovels officially break ground, this project sets in motion a dynamic future for Hicksville's downtown. This transit-oriented development isn't just a promise; it's a pathway to tangible economic prosperity—providing affordable housing alongside new retail opportunities that will spark job creation. These investments signify New York State's commitment to nurturing families, empowering businesses, and fostering community-wide prosperity."
LIREDC Co-Chairs Linda Armyn, President & CEO at Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Dr. John Nader, President of Farmingdale State College said, "This innovative development integrates affordable housing and retail in a vision that will catalyze Hicksville's economic future. The 99 Newbridge Housing Complex is set to anchor and support a myriad of businesses, drawing residents and visitors alike to the bustling center of amenities that will define the new Hicksville for generations to come."
State Senator Steve Rhoads said, “The Alpine project is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when the State abandons mandates and instead works with local elected officials, businesses and residents to build housing opportunities that complement our communities. Hicksville is a vibrant, growing and diverse hamlet and the transformation of abandoned commercial buildings and a crumbling parking lot into 189 residential units with modern amenities and beautiful retail space right next to the Hicksville LIRR Station will help to make an outstanding community an even more attractive place to live, work and raise a family.”
Assemblymember Charles D. Lavine said, "Governor Hochul and her team continue to show how we can provide low-income residents with aesthetically-designed yet affordable housing options. This convenient location will provide residents with easy access to mass transit and nearby shopping options. It also is a key step in the remaking of downtown Hicksville."
Assemblymember Jake Blumencranz said, “After lifting up the voices of Long Islanders and successfully championing local control of housing development this last Legislative Session, this new investment in Hicksville is a great example of the results that collaborative local governments can bring when they are given a seat at the table. Workforce housing and community beautification promote local businesses and growth and I look forward to seeing the impact that this will have on the revitalization zone.”
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino said, “A renaissance is coming to the Hicksville community thanks to this $111.8 million investment by Alpine Residential Development. Together, we’re moving forward with private sector developments and public works enhancements that transform the Hicksville business district into a vibrant downtown that millennials, families and empty-nesters desire – with housing, restaurants and office space near public transportation. My administration is committed to improving the quality of life in our communities by revitalizing downtowns, improving local parks, and keeping property taxes down. Today’s ground breaking is only the start of great things to come in downtown Hicksville and I thank Governor Hochul for her continued support of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative which allocated millions in state grants to our community.”
Alpine Residential Co-Managing Partner Todd Schefler said, "We're excited to unlock the untapped potential of this property, serving as a catalyst for downtown Hicksville's revitalization. Our goal is to deliver a mixed-use development that seamlessly integrates modern residences, neighborhood retail, and open space that will transform this desolate area into a vibrant community setting. With a location next to the Hicksville Long Island Rail Road station, our vision prioritizes transit-oriented development principles, emphasizing connectivity and accessibility. We appreciate the support from the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency, the Town of Oyster Bay, and the State of New York and look forward to contributing to the town’s growth and the enhanced quality of life for its residents."
Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties President Matthew Aracich said, “I would like to commend the Governor on her renewed vision in tackling the need for housing here on Long Island. The Downtown Revitalization initiative continues to energize our communities for the betterment of our state, our region, and our quality of life. The Alpine project in particular shows promise to redefine transit oriented development around the most utilized LIRR station in Nassau County. Projects like these not only provide housing opportunities for the next generation of Long Islanders, but also job opportunities that will feed into the apprenticeship pipeline of the Building Trades.”
Hicksville Downtown Revitalization Committee Co-Chair and Vision Long Island Director Eric Alexander said, "The long-awaited revitalization of downtown Hicksville has been planned with the community for the last decade and a half. We are glad to see this second mixed-use project provide an anchor of commercial space and apartments close to the train and other services. Kudos to Governor Hochul, the Town of Oyster Bay, community leaders, and the developer for making this project happen.”
Long Island Federation of Labor President John Durso said, “Today’s ground breaking moves the needle on housing and lifts up the community’s vision for substantive transit oriented development. We insist upon labor standards that support good union jobs, and continue to incorporate communities in the visioning process. When we incorporate these key ingredients we can make real progress on the generational housing crisis we find ourselves confronted with. Today is progress. We have more work to do.”
As a DRI winner in 2017, Hicksville embraces both the mega-retail hub and downtown mom-and-pop storefronts. Public support for revitalization, coupled with DRI funding, would allow improvements in the pedestrian environment to make it safer and incentivize walking and biking as viable transportation options. Pending improvements to the busiest station on the Long Island Railroad will provide the opportunity for a true renaissance of the area. With anticipated increases in commuter traffic and demand for housing, the vision for Hicksville also includes new public space for events and increasing the diversity of housing stock.
Hicksville, a hamlet in the Town of Oyster Bay, is a transit-rich and thriving community in central Nassau County. The DRI area is located within the central business district, and includes ethnic dining establishments, specialty food markets and cultural centers, as well as retail and office use.
About Downtown Revitalization Initiative
New York State’s DRI, a cornerstone of its economic development program, transforms downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative "plan-then-act" strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles. More information on the DRI is available here
Thus far, the DRI has invested in nearly 3,500 units of downtown housing, nearly a third of which being affordable, with more to come online as Round 6 awarded communities submit their Strategic Investment Plans and proposed projects.