Garvin of CDCLI: Home is important to people's success in life

Name: Marianne Garvin Title: President & CEO Company Name: Community Development Corporation of Long Island Follow my company on Twitter @CDCLongIsland What year did you start your career in commercial real estate: 1992 Email: [email protected] Real Estate Associations/Organizations: NYS What recent project or transaction are you most proud of? I am most proud of Wincoram Commons, a mixed-use, mixed income development on the corner of Rte. 25 and Rte. 112, that removed a vacant blighted movie theater and created a hamlet center for Coram. Wincoram will provide affordable rental homes to 176 families. Retail businesses will be on the ground floor of some apartments on the main street. The 18-acre site has open green space, a public square, a community building with a fitness center and other amenities. The Coram Civic Association and local government have been strong supporters of the project and helped with the site plan and design. The grand opening is planned for the fall 2015. Please reflect on a recent achievement and/or milestone for your company: Community Development Corp. of Long Island (CDCLI) has joined the Home Matters movement. We recognize how important home is to people's success in life, including health outcomes. Our experience in helping communities rebuild after superstorm Sandy, making the homes of very low income people more energy efficient and safer, and revitalizing neighborhoods with our real estate developments, all demonstrate that Home Matters. Every program we embark upon as we begin our 46th year of service to Long Island advances our mission of increasing housing opportunities for all people. What did you want to be when you grew up? I grew up in a family of two brothers, so I was a real tomboy. We played all sorts of sports together, but our favorite was baseball. So as a kid I fantasized about being the first female baseball player in the Major Leagues. That opportunity hasn't open up for women, but many others have, including being actively involved in the commercial real estate field, which is very exciting and rewarding.