- First Major Private Investment in East Rockaway Since “Sandy”
- Luxury Condominiums Replace Rundown Boatyard and Marina
- Best Practice Storm Resiliency Building Methods
- Transit Oriented Community Near LIRR, Main Street Shopping
Jericho & East Rockaway, NY, June 10, 2016 – The Beechwood Organization, the leading builder of residential homes on Long Island and one of the largest in New York State, was honored with a 2016 Smart Growth Award by Vision Long Island(www.visionlongisland.org) for one of its newest developments, Marina Pointe East Rockaway.
“We thank Vision Long Island for honoring Marina Pointe East Rockaway with this Smart Growth Award. Our intent is to transform a Superstorm Sandy ravaged waterfront into new, attractive and energy-efficient homes built with state-of-the-art storm resiliency building methods,” says Michael Dubb, Founder and CEO, The Beechwood Organization.
Vision Long Island, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1997, advances more livable, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible growth on Long Island through Smart Growth. Smart Growth focuses on infill, re-development and open space preservation. It supports mixed-use, mixed-income communities that are convenient, attractive, pedestrian-friendly and that make affordable housing and public transportation desirable and realistic.
A CORE COMMITMENT
“We believe this is the first major private investment in East Rockaway since Superstorm Sandy,” adds Steven Dubb, Principal, The Beechwood Organization.
“We looked at the site when it became available to us and asked how could we redevelop this in an intelligent way; in a way that is good for the community and will be a shot in the arm to an area that has taken a little bit of a bruising? It is really an example of everything I think you want in a smart growth community.”
Marina Pointe exemplifies Beechwood’s core commitment to thoughtful land planning and design and to keep more Long Islanders on Long Island. It marks the re-development of a nearly abandoned and rundown 1930s boatyard and marina into waterfront condominium living that blends luxury and convenience. Singles or couples who want to get started in a new home, along with empty nesters or seniors who want to stay in the area, will also benefit from the alternative to traditional home ownership.
There will be 84 two-bedroom condominium suites and villas with open floor plans and designer finishes across six three-story, energy-efficient buildings. Amenities include ground-level parking, snow removal, landscaping and optional private boat slips.
Conveniently located, Marina Pointe is in walking distance to the Long Island Rail Road, for a 40-minute commute from East Rockaway, with a nearby supermarket, gym and local restaurants.
“It’s got all the bones you want for smart growth development. It’ll be walkable to the train station and a short commute to the city. We’re going to bring full-time residents who are going to support, and hopefully grow, the retail base and do it in a smart way that doesn’t overload the infrastructure,” adds Steven Dubb.
BEST DESIGN & BUILD PRACTICES
Beechwood is applying its experience in storm resiliency building methods through the design, engineering and selection of building materials for Marina Pointe. These best practices were recognized by a 2014 Urban Land Institute (ULI) case study for another Beechwood development on south shore waters, Arverne by the Sea in Queens. It successfully weathered Superstorm Sandy and gained prominence as an example of smart, sustainable, safe and resilient coastal residential planning and design.
The ULI study cited Arverne by the Sea as “one of the most successful large-scale redevelopments in the history of New York City” and “one of the most resilient waterfront urban renewal areas in the United States.”
PROGRESS TO DATE
“We began work on Marina Pointe in late 2015 with the demolition of existing structures, rebuilding of 1,050 feet of storm-damaged bulkhead and elevating the height of the bulkhead to allow for parking and protect the entire development,” says Michael Dubb.
“We are already receiving strong buyer interest. First unit completion, with starting prices in the upper $400,000s, is projected for late 2016 with total project completion, subject to sales, in 2018.
VISION LONG ISLAND
A 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization founded in 1997, advances more livable, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible growth on Long Island through Smart Growth. Smart Growth focuses on infill, re-development and open space preservation. It supports mixed-use, mixed-income communities that are convenient, attractive, pedestrian-friendly and that make affordable housing and public transportation desirable and realistic. Over the past 19 years, Vision Long Island has counseled downtown Villages and Towns, and has been a resource for the County, State, and Federal governments, as well as the business and civic community on downtown revitalization, planning and infrastructure. It has made over 2000 presentations, performed 20 community visioning plans and advanced over 100 public and private planning projects towards implementing the goals of Smart Growth on Long Island.