‘Meadow Crossing’ Coming to Former Exxon Property

A new shopping center could soon inhabit the property where the Exxon gas station formerly stood on the corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Newbridge Road.

Located at 2464 Hempstead Turnpike, the “Meadow Crossing” will supposedly include several storefronts that are divisible up to 4,200 square feet, according to a sign currently on the property. Units at the new development are to be leased by In Line Realty. The Exxon station that was operating on the site recently closed up shop.

Requests for comments and additional information on the development from the leasing agency yielded no response.

Hempstead Town Press Secretary Susan Trenkle-Pokalsky said that, at this time, there is only one application submitted to the town for the property in question. The application is seeking to “remove all existing storage tanks.”

“That application was submitted on Dec. 16,” she said.

Local residents expressed both their excitement and apprehension over the possibility of this alleged new project to Patch. The prospect of drawing in more locally owned, small businesses was highlighted as a positive point, while increased traffic disruptions at an already busy intersection were cited as a fallback.

Jackie Hyland, an East Meadow resident, said that she thinks stores “would be better for the community than another gas station.” A clothing store, local business or locally owner franchise would be a nice addition to the area, she added.

“It would be more aesthetically pleasing to look at if they do a good job with the design,” she said in regards to preferring storefronts to a gas station. “It would be nice to have more local businesses be able to purchase office or retail space that have more ties to the community than large chain retail stores.”

The location has potential to be a good spot for retail stores since it is on Hempstead Turnpike, Hyland said.

East Meadow High School graduate Emily Ackerman said that, though she doesn’t believe there is enough room to comfortably accommodate a few stores on that specific property, she would like to see a small boutique or other locally owned store at that site if the storefronts were to be built.

“East Meadow has no boutiques,” she added.

Ackerman said that “it’s not a good location because there is nowhere to turn around” to easily access the prospective shopping center.

Hyland noted that having several stores on the property could increase traffic flow in the area; therefore causing other parking issues and safety hazards.

“It would have to be a store that wouldn’t affect traffic as much,” she continued. “It is a very busy intersection so they would have to make sure that it is safe since it is right on the road — unlike how and are set up.”