Dunne, Irwin Discuss Empty Buildings on Hempstead Turnpike

Editor's Note: Patch recently asked the two candidates for the seat in the Nassau County Legislature representing the 15th District for their opinions on several issues within the district. An article ran Friday with their responses, which you can read . The article below focuses on one of the questions not included in the original Q&A; the empty stores along Hempstead Turnpike and in other streets in Levittown. Their answers, edited for space, appear below in alphabetical order:

Patch Question: The pending return of a Ford dealership helps to restore one empty building on Hempstead Turnpike, but there are still several empty buildings or buildings with non-permanent tenants. How do you think Levittown can start attracting businesses back to these empty buildings?

Legis. Dennis Dunne: When you have high taxes, people leave. Businesses have to close because they can’t afford to stay here. When you have stable taxes, like we're providing the last two years, businesses will say 'You know what? I'm going to open a business here, because at least I know that there's some stable taxes here.' They don't have to worry about them going up, and up and up.

Usually, the biggest burden is the rent that the merchant has to pay. Taxes are the highest part of that, and they're astronomical in Nassau County. When you have it stabilized, they know what the bill will be next year. They know what to target, how to plan their finances for the rest of the year or for next year. They feel relaxed and relieved and confident that the tax isn't going to stay the same.

That invites business to stay here and come here. We need the sales tax revenue that they generate, so we have to make it inviting for businesses to open up here in Nassau County. Taxes are again the answer.

Ethan Irwin: If I'm elected County Legislator I will introduce legislation that would grant commercial landlords and local businesses tax incentives to lower rents to attract business to depressed areas like Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown.  We would provide property tax credits to landlords in exchange for a direct pass-through to the tenants, making it more affordable for businesses to open in the area. Another part of the legislation would be to temporarily waive the County sales tax to further motivate businesses to open in these depressed areas and to aid them in attracting business once they have moved.  

Of course, these businesses would need to make a commitment to stay in Nassau to receive these benefits. Additionally, we need to work with businesses to make sure that they know about and have assistance in taking full advantage of the numerous State and Federal programs that are available to them.  That's why I would work to expand the Nassau County Office of Economic Development, Business Development Unit and expand it's profile in the business community, as well as work with the Long Island Association and Association for a Better Long Island.