The Town Board voted this week to schedule three public sessions to consider plans to redevelop parts of Melville.
The three sessions are scheduled for:
- April 30 at 7 p.m. at West Hollow Middle School
- May 7, at 2 p.m., at the Town Board meeting at Town Hall
- June 12, 7 p.m. Town Board meeting
The town is considering ways to turn underused commercial buildings in the Melville corridor into a mixed-use area with a walkable downtown area.
Multiple public “listening” sessions have been held to encourage people to discuss ideas about what the area should look like.
Maxess Road is the center of focus, with plans for wide sidewalks to accommodate pedestrians and diners, creation of parks out of town-owned properties and buildings with first-floor retail space requiring residential space on the second floor. Rooftop dining would also be permitted.
The conversion of underused commercial space,such as office buildings and malls, has become a popular trend in communities around the country.