2015 Year in Review - Marianne Garvin

What was your most notable project, deal, transaction or professional achievement in 2015? Developing and closing Copiague Commons, our 90-unit transit oriented apartment complex in downtown Copiague is the deal I am most proud of in 2015. To bring this project to this successful beginning took tremendous work with the local community, as well as the political will and support of the town of Babylon. A new downtown zoning code was created, which will encourage private investment into the downtown core. The intent is to revitalize the area around the train station, thereby creating a sense of place that will attract young people and empty nesters and bring vitality to the downtown. What real estate project, transaction, market trend or product had a significant impact on your industry in 2015? The dramatic need for affordable workforce rental housing is driving our industry. Our nearly completed Wincoram Commons mixed use development 0f 176 apartments, is already making an important impact in the Coram community, as well as demonstrating to a sometimes skeptical public, that this type of multifamily housing is beautiful and uplifts the neighborhood. Increasing the supply of rental housing is our collective strategic challenge as an island, and examples such as Wincoram have opened the door to other development opportunities because people can see for themselves the good work we do. How will you be supercharging your productivity in 2016? I have hired a new COO, Jill Rosen-Nikoloff, who is a dynamo. She is my secret weapon to supercharge CDCLI’s productivity in 2016. What emerging trends will drive investment and development in 2016? I believe that our single family homeownership market is making a comeback. People in neighborhoods all across the island are investing in their homes again. This encourages people to jump back into the purchase market, including the very important first time buyers.