- The following was submitted by the Seaford School District
After securing an amended contract in accordance with the community’s wishes, the Seaford School District is calling all registered voters to the polls on Dec. 12 to approve a $5 million deal that would sell the former Seaford Avenue School property to a longtime developer who plans to build condominiums on the 5.66 acre site.
BK at Seaford, LLC, a subsidiary of the Engel Burman Group of Garden-City, hopes to build the Seasons at Seaford condominium community, consisting of about 112 two-bedroom units, a clubhouse, an in-ground pool, private parking, landscaping and other amenities. Selling prices will be between $350,000 and $400,000 per unit.
As per the new contract, at least one person in each unit must be 55 years of age or older and have no school-age children. In addition, no rentals are allowed; the units will only be for sale. The school district sought these stipulations in response to concerns raised at an Oct. 4 informational meeting.
“After months of preparation, reaching out to the community and working with all parties involved, we believe we are presenting to our voters a fair and sound proposal,” said Seaford Board of Education President Brian Fagan. “We hope everyone takes the time to get out to the polls to vote.”
According to district officials, if the sale is approved it would generate nearly $500,000 in additional tax revenue and would save the district an estimated $100,000 on basic maintenance costs associated with the property.
The Seaford Avenue School building was last used to educate Seaford students back in 1981 and was leased to Five Towns College until 1992 and then to Nassau BOCES until 2010. The district, being unable to secure another lessee for the building, left it vacant for the past two years which reduced the district’s revenues by about $400,000 annually.
The Board of Education hired the real estate marketing firm Greiner-Maltz to find a potential buyer and, subsequently, an offer was made by BK at Seaford, LLC and accepted by the school board. In addition to the public vote, the sale is subject to a change in zoning, which the developer would pursue through the Town of Hempstead.
Voting on the referendum will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Seaford Harbor School and Seaford Manor School.
Like so many I was offline / no power for a long time after Sandy... so I've been reading & catching up here. Last I knew you were against the sale & now for it. May I ask what changed your mind...was new info made avail to you or others in Seaford? The only info & mail I received about the sale / vote / meetings was when the blue postcards were sent out in a hurry. And that's also on behalf of someone else directly near the Ave School. I've done my research on the sale and still feel condos are NOT the way to go. There are families who have lived in Seaford in the area you're asking about long before SOB /135 was built...Many are older and don't use computers. CONDOS on that land = Everyones backyard...ALL of US WILL be IMPACTED.
Good evening, Unjust, Welcome back, and I am glad you are relatively safe and sound after the storm. Relative to my shifting of sides: I came in mid-point to this “battle.” Being a late comer, I had presumed the passion that was exuded (for the “no” vote) was based on careful research and study of all of the facts of this sale. As time went by, I found that many critical pieces of paperwork (reflecting costs), were not requested by the public to the school (where the files reside). Relative to my findings: The BOE performed their due diligence in regards of P & L just when BOCES was planned to leave the building. They hired a reputable engineering company to inspect and present a list of upgrades and required repairs. To be able to rent or legally use the building would require $5,336,115.10 (2010 prices) to update/upgrade the building to present ADA and building codes. This does not reflect any asbestos abatement; the asbestos would continue to be managed as it was from the time BOCES began use of the building till the time they left. Management of the asbestos in the building ceased when no students were present. Just to restate the fact: The BOE had considered keeping the building, however due to the figured cost of [legally-required and for code purposes] upgrades, general repairs, general upkeep, etc. (typical P & L), the numbers did not work in favor of the district…by a long margin.
The condominium developer in question, has very “deep pockets.” Some say this can be good, some say bad. I personally think this is a good situation. They would have the ability to remove the entire building safely and quickly (asbestos, oil tanks, etc.). They have the funds/reputation (they have their own builders/contractors) to build quality units and complete the entire job in a much shorter time than would individual builders. Individual builders run into problems (showing up, quality of work, maintaining building schedule) with their workers, town permits, quality of mid and final product, to name but a few. They also can run out of funds, easily delaying the finalization of the building. If we went with individual home builders we would most likely have to parcel the land out accordingly and eventually bear the cost of tearing down the building ourselves (costing the district more monies). Not to mention the real estate costs of selling/parceling land. From a sheer construction point of view, the building of a condominium development would be far, FAR quicker than would individual homes (less dirt/dust/noise).
To seek county, state, federal grants to try to keep/utilize this property is a far dream after Sandy hit our shores. There is and will be a long financial recovery after this storm, and to seek “reprieve” for this parcel does not look logically forthcoming. Just as a mention, my family and I have been here before the Seaford Oyster Bay was here, before the train tracks were raised (with MUCH heat from the town--they feared it looked too much like the city!), there was a cow pasture where the SHS now stands, and when there were woods behind my house and a pond…before it was clear-cut and the pond filled in to build my present neighbors houses. Think back of how different this place was 45+ years ago. We have shifted and grown…good and bad. However, change is inevitable. If it were not, there would be about six house in the entire town of Seaford.
Seaford Schools Budget Advisory Committee Planning For Upcoming 2013-2014 Fiscal Year The Seaford Board of Education welcomes the involvement of Seaford community members to work on its annual budget and fiscal analysis. The members will be asked to review the process and to contribute ideas and suggestions. The work of this group will help to establish priorities and weigh options, as the budget framers wrestle with the list of needs while knowing that a State-imposed tax levy cap is now a reality. Budget Advisory Schedule The first Budget Committee meeting will be held at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, for the purpose of organization and review of its format and goals. Budget information will be available for review prior to the three (3) regular meetings that will take place at 7:30 pm in the Board of Education Conference Room located in the Manor Elementary School on the following dates: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Wednesday, February 27, 2013 If you are interested in being part of the Committee, please contact Alan S. Phillips, Interim Asst. Superintendent for Business at 516-592-4004 or aphillips@mail.seaford.K12.NY.US
@ Patrick. And I thought I knew you. Very clever.
However to single one person out is really doing what you all claim they are. There are MANY here who have crossed the line MORE then few times and much worse , some have been warned by patch staff, some have been ignored, some have been personally taken to task elsewhere or chastized here. some are indeed, vindicitive spiteful and some indeed are just plain NUTS & whacka doodles. however part and parcel of posting on these public sites is taking the good with the bad and hope the good out weighs bad &people understand that some peoples passions out weigh their common sense and sensibilites while other people are just plain mean & mean spirtited & @ tmes questionably certifiable . I truly dont think Judith is mean spirited far from it in fact she truly is a lovely lady i think she is passionate and totaly frustrated and while she may have stepped over the line of cocktail party correctness there have been others who have dished out far worse. NOT an EXCUSE but possibly an explaination of why a lovely lady can go a little off the mark when it comes to something so close to home for her. This only underlines how People ARE getting aggitated, frustrated, concernd and worried about THEIR homes, their neighborhood and it can be frustrating as hell when others who are NOT directly effected do not understand nor support them & all that many see are dollars signs NOT peoples lives, homes, quality of life & futures.
Thank You Patrick Kelly
This could take awhile.
Patrick's civilly-presented question/s specifically presented to you were not addressed in your answer (in any way/shape/or form). If you do not know the details of your previously professed comments, say so. That is fine and understandable. Please note that to play the "character-assassination" card as well as the "change of subject" card when asked a direct and civil question does not lend credence to your position.
Thank you for your diligence.
Patrick 8:14 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Lorraine, your Monday morning quarterbacking of this developer is a point. So I will ask, of the many other residential developers that are out there, which would you like to see build this project, what was their proposal, and what was thier bid on the property? This information is critical for everyone for everyone to make an informed decision and try to figure out why these proposals were turned down by the BOE. Thank You Patrick Kelly
Perhaps you need to be cognizant of the difference between perceived civility vs deprecated intent. I dare say the individual you quoted knows the difference.
It's way too big for the land, and hadn't been thought out. It wasn't, and that slick attempt at a powerpoint sell at the High School made it clear. Traffic study..oh, really? No transparency all along, it's all about money at the greater expense of Seaford. How folks can't see that, I just don't know. Neither EB or the school district care about that, it's simply not a factor. It obviously is such an awful location for such a large development. And both parties should have acknowledged the opposition is substantial enough to appease folks by at least offering an alternative, more palatable proposal. As in smaller. So maybe they wouldn't make as much..after all they like to present themselves as good builders, concerned with a development's impact, right? ood neighbors? But no. Maximum profit for them, and the district gets a ten year kitty to use for I don't know what..does anyone? So hey sure.. shoehorn it all in there and suck it up, neighbors! EB says there will be no traffic. Yup, less than when BOCES used it. And old golden folks like me, (over 55) we don't drive! All is well. Sign here. And this besides that craaaazy contract. The district does have legal counsel, yes? So no. I'm not buyin' it. Go back to the drawing board guys. and maybe among other possibilities, EB will come back with something more realistic. They will still make their money, and I'll sleep better knowing I did the right thing.
Lorraine says, from this string ":I dont play character assassination cards" Her quote, from another "HOWEVER patrick your persistence in attacking me personaly is bordering on Harrasment and stalking your obsession is over the top and quite frankly i am afraid that you will resort to violence which i am posting here for future reference as I am afraid you might take you attacks on me to another level" Lorraine, you don't attempt to try assassinate character? explain this statement to everyone, if you can. Your words, cut and pasted from another string, True or not. Did you make this post? Y or N Easy question Y or N?
Thank you very much for your in-depth reply. I appreciate the info and the time you took to post it. I know change is good...and the Land & Ave school will change...in time. That said....**this sale** still doesn't sit well with me. It would be MUCH better if SFH were an option. I do NOT have a good feeling about EB or 100 plus condos in Our backyards. Thank you again VL for your time.
It was my pleasure to do so. Good night! :)
You folks have a very important vote one week from today. You should all concentrate on that and the real issues concerning it. You have a great Q&A or FAQ posted above this thread, which is what should be driving the conversation here, now. You can also look at the condition of the old school and read the contract, the traffic study, view the district's powerpoint, the developer's powerpoint and other documents on your school district website at http://www.seaford.k12.ny.us//site/Default.aspx?PageID=256 Your taxes pay for this website, you should check it out, especially now. If there are unanswered questions, there is a school board meeting tomorrow night at 7:30 in the Manor School where you can go and get real answers for yourself, from the only people who can provide real answers, the Board of Education, those people you elected to represent you in these matters.