Covert Avenue properties in Floral Park that were severely damaged in a fire in 2020 will be demolished to make way for a new two-story mixed-use property in its place.
The Hillcrest on 43-61 Covert Ave., which was approved by the village’s Architectural and Preliminary Site Plan Review Board on March 30, will include five retail spaces and 18 parking spots on the ground floor.
On the second floor of the 11,300-square-foot building will be 10 residential units. Eight of the units will have one bedroom and two of the units will have two bedrooms.
Construction can begin once Nassau County and its Fire Marshal’s office approve the new building, Trustee Michael Longobardi said during the May 16 board of trustees meeting.
In 2020, Floral Park police responded to reports of a building fire at the Park Place Bar and Grill at 41 Covert Ave.
When they arrived at the scene, officers saw fire and smoke pouring from the building that extended to at least 11 other adjacent storefronts.
Firefighters from the Floral Park Fire Department along with the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company, the New Hyde Park Fire Department and almost 20 others were represented at the scene throughout the day.
Nassau County Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said at the time it took firefighters more than four hours to control the fire.
Six businesses sustained major damage or were destroyed, while four others were damaged by smoke, Uttaro said. A private residence also had smoke damage, officials said.
Neighboring stores to Park Place affected by the fire included Villager’s Perk, Shin’s Tae Kwon Do, Luna Eyelash, Capo Ristorante, Covert Nail & Spa, Covert Barber Shop, Original V.I. Pizza, Covert Optical and K. Hunter Boutique.
I was born Nassau hospital mineola fifty or less or so years love the area now 10 years plus grand nursing Whitestone n y city mostly in this USA country we have volunteers ems fire departments who will never get the real thanks for what they do 24 hours 365 days a year in any kinds of situations storms very hot or cold snow they answer the call this is older son of ex village trustee fire rescue company member deceased he would aid volks anyone in his travels out of the village or on vacation miles from home total strangers just seeing it would stop and aid the world needs more as he was now I say I follow fl pk on this I pad I hope to come when I get a ride to see new old in fl pk I always supported our volunteers anyway I could if doing my business around the area remember it could be your property family sometime now I can not say with nyu ambulance I wonder if taxes are going up or what what I miss is doing my business there also when I saw the need I did fast calls to police fire I know some police retired nw ones how many others would do as I did help keep the village cleaner clear fire hydrants once two stupid thieves once ferry officer saw me there drove away then next they came by to steal right away I did my part car plate number phone call we’ll all they got officer told me was a trip to county jail was told they did not know me well me steal never