Baldwin News Update:

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Town adopts Baldwin zoning overlay district

The Hempstead Town Board voted on Jan. 21 to adopt the Baldwin zoning overlay district, which will have a temporary zoning code meant to encourage developers to build in the area and revitalize the struggling downtown that has had empty storefronts and vacant buildings for nearly 20 years. Read more in the LIHERALD

Public reacts to school bond plan

Baldwin residents say they’re concerned about a tax increase

More than two dozen community members filled the Baldwin School District office’s Professional Learning Lab on Jan. 21 to share their concerns about the district’s proposed multi-year capital improvement plan, which is to be voted on later this winter. Many residents said they did not want to see a property-tax increase.

On March 18 they will vote on a $158 million bond that would fund the proposed district-wide project, titled Innovation 2020. The vote will be held from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the high school, at 841 Ethel T. Kloberg Drive. Read more in the LIHERALD

Baldwin School District counts down to bond vote

Mapping out the cost of Innovation 2020

Baldwin School District officials recently mapped out the financial forecast of Innovation 2020, a multi-year capital improvement plan that, if approved by residents, would be funded by a $158 million bond, the regular budget, grants and state funding.

The bond is to be voted on by the public on March 18, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., at the high school, at 841 Ethel T. Kloberg Drive. Read more in the LIHERALD

‘Nothing but complaints’

Baldwinites speak out against Sunrise auto lot by LIRR

As efforts to redevelop Baldwin’s downtown progress, residents and Baldwin Civic Association members are calling on the Town of Hempstead’s Zoning Board of Appeals to revoke a variance allowing the owner of the car storage lot at Sunrise Highway and Grand Avenue to continue storing vehicles there.

Twelve people shared their concerns with zoning board trustees at a hearing at Town Hall on Dec. 4, Read more in the LIHERALD

Baldwin downtown revitalization planning kicks off at BHS

Representatives of New York state and VHB Engineering, a consulting team, fielded questions from members of the public at the first meeting of the Baldwin Downtown Revitalization Initiative Local Planning Committee on Nov. 7.

At the session, held in the Baldwin High School cafeteria, planning committee members and residents asked about extending the boundary of the revitalization area and discussed the goals of the initiative for the next six months. Read more in the LIHERALD

Breslin Realty eyes Baldwin’s downtown

A major commercial developer expressed interest in constructing a mixed-use commercial-residential project in Baldwin, next to the Long Island Rail Road station, at a Sept. 3 public hearing at Hempstead Town Hall. At the same session, a number of residents shared traffic concerns if downtown development were to move forward in the community.  Read more in the LIHERALD

Baldwinites plan a 'grand' festival

Mark your calendars: The inaugural Grand Baldwin Festival will take place on Oct. 19, celebrating the community and promoting a vibrant business and drug-free environment, organizers said.

“It’s to raise community pride and to show people that, yes, we do have a lot going for us,” said Claudia Rotondo, co-chair of the Grand Baldwin Festival Planning Committee. “With this revitalization grant now, hopefully we’ll have even more going for us,” she added, referring to a $10 million grant recently awarded to Baldwin by New York state to revitalize its downtown area. Read more in the LIHERALD

Baldwin hosts first Long Island AfroFest

Hundreds of people packed the Baldwin Community Garden on Sept. 7 for the inaugural AfroFest celebration, an afternoon of music, dance, art and food representing the culture of Africa and the African diaspora.

While festivals like AfroFest have been held around the world, including in Manhattan and Chicago, organizers said it was the first held on Long Island.

Baldwin couple Lisa and Cosmas Collins decided it was time to bring a festival observing the everyday impacts of the African diaspora to their hometown. Read more in the LIHERALD