A small park on Prospect Avenue in New Cassel. (Sept....

A small park on Prospect Avenue in New Cassel. (Sept. 16, 2011) Credit: Photo by Ed Betz

Nine years after residents, politicians and local activists crafted a plan to revitalize the blighted hamlet of New Cassel, its main thoroughfare, Prospect Avenue, is taking off.

This month, the North Hempstead Town Board passed three resolutions that allow six row houses to be renovated as apartments and retail space; a tree-covered, trash-strewn vacant parcel to become a 36-unit apartment complex; and artists to create public works for three parks and two bus shelters.

"Our revitalization is actually coming to fruition," said Councilwoman Viviana Russell, who lives in New Cassel.

The $80 million revitalization project, which broke ground in 2005, focused on properties along Prospect and Union avenues. A building department probe and the arrest of a developer stalled progress at times, but the pace has picked up in the past few years.

More than a mile of Prospect Avenue has been reconfigured with bike lanes and two lanes of traffic instead of four. Two apartment buildings with retail space on their ground floors opened in 2010. Three other housing units opened in 2009.

"I think it's nice," said Roscoe Governor, who has lived in New Cassel for 47 years. "It looks a lot better."

After World War II, the 1.5-square-mile hamlet was a thriving community, attracting many African-American and Latino veterans. By the 1980s, vacant lots, illegal rental units, boarded-up storefronts and streetside drug dealers had taken over.

"The biggest change I've noticed is more people," Pierre Jean, manager and part-owner of Chez Maggy Deli and Grocery on Prospect Avenue, said of the improvements. "I notice with the development also they're keeping the streets a lot more clean."

A nearly $26 million community center with basketball courts, a gym, meeting rooms, television studio, social hall and theater stage is also being built on Prospect and is slated to open next summer.

Private investors and developers financed more than 80 percent of revitalization costs, with federal, state, county and town funds and grants contributing the rest, according to a study prepared for Sustainable Long Island, a nonprofit focused on economic development and environmental health.

As the project progressed, adjustments have been necessary. In the case of the row houses at 839 Prospect Ave., the town board removed a requirement that they be owner-occupied; the rule was put in place to prevent absentee landlords.

Dermot F. Kelly, executive director of the town Community Development Agency, said the property was $3.5 million in debt and the lender felt the restriction was too onerous. "While [allowing nonresident ownership] is not ideal, we want to help resurrect this project," he said.

From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker; Newsday / A.J. Singh

Put a little love in your heart with the NewsdayTV Valentine's Day Special! From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.

From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker; Newsday / A.J. Singh

Put a little love in your heart with the NewsdayTV Valentine's Day Special! From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.

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