Shown (from left) are: Martinez; Kristi Reynolds, chief of staff to assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre; town of Babylon receiver of taxes Corinne DiSomma; Bellone; Garvin; Handelman; and Matthew McDonough, town of Babylon IDA.

Copiague, NY Community Development Corporation of Long Island (CDCLI) and Conifer Realty, LLC, began the demolition of 54 Railroad Ave. They were joined by Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone and town of Babylon councilman Tony Martinez.

Marianne Garvin, president and CEO of CDCLI, commended the town of Babylon on its new Copiague Downtown Zoning Code and said, “Babylon’s innovative zoning will accelerate the pace of redevelopment in this critical downtown area. Our new affordable apartments for families would not be possible without the support of the community, the town of Babylon, Suffolk County, and New York State.”

Allen Handelman, VP of development for Conifer Realty, said that this demolition begins the

Demolition of 54 Railroad Avenue

process of constructing 90 new apartments in a great location. “This is Conifer’s tenth development on Long Island, totaling 967 units serving both counties,” said Handelman. “We are committed to Long Island and are proud to build, own and manage high-quality, energy efficient, affordable apartments in this community. Copiague Commons will offer residents a home they will be proud of that offers a desirable location close to transportation and jobs.”

“Suffolk County is proud to partner with Community Development Corp. of Long Island and Conifer Realty in the redevelopment of this site,” said Bellone. “Projects like these will make it possible for our residents who want to stay here in an affordable and sustainable manner.  We must continue to create an innovation economy in order to grow our downtowns and attract more young people and families to Suffolk County.”

“The Town of Babylon has been working closely with the Copiague community through a visioning process in order to facilitate the creation of a new and vibrant downtown core,” said Martinez. “I am happy to be standing here today to watch the bulldozers begin the first step in this revitalization.”

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