Moxey Rigby property to be revitalized with new features

In an effort to revitalize the former Moxey Rigby property and generate tax revenue, the Village of Freeport has joined forces with developer BOSFA Properties on a housing plan with a comprehensive parking strategy.

The proposed development will offer 200 housing units, with half dedicated to workforce housing and the remainder divided between senior and veteran housing, meeting state regulations that require 10 percent of units to be designated affordable housing. 

The project is expected to stimulate economic growth in the surrounding area, providing employment opportunities for Freeport residents and offering convenience and accessibility to commercial areas, public transportation, and major roads.

The property purchase is set to be finalized by May 28, and construction will follow.

“The redevelopment of the old Moxey Rigby property will allow our children, seniors and veterans the opportunity to stay in Freeport and on Long Island,” Mayor Robert Kennedy said, “as well as providing needed construction jobs and tax relief for our residents on a property that hasn’t generated property taxes since 1957.”

BOSFA Properties,a multifamily-property developer, has been active on Long Island for over three decades, concentrating on enhancing, restoring and stabilizing underutilized assets in thriving neighborhoods. BOSFA acquires, finances and oversees such assets, returning them to their former glory.

“For the Freeport area, the idea of establishing a community that caters to multiple generations is viewed as a forward-thinking step,” BOSFA spokesman Dave Sutton said. “Additionally, it aligns well with the mayor’s vision for providing diverse housing options and accommodations for individuals residing in the village of Freeport.”

The company is working on the development of the Moxey Rigby project with the aim that it will have one building specifically for veterans, one for seniors, and one for young workforce members. 

The aim is for the proposed community to provide social opportunities, security, safety, support and assistance to a diverse range of residents, including retirees, working adults and single young adults.

“Right now, in our community, we are designating a space specifically for seniors,” Sutton said. “And then we’ll have the largest building actually be for the young workforce members, who are looking for a kind of the village lifestyle, easy access to transportation and walkability within the village. This marks the first time within the village where we have integrated diverse communities. Our idea is to create an environment in which each of these communities can support one another.”

The proposed redevelopment faces parking challenges with the limited space available in the village.

A unique approach to off-street parking will be included in the project, featuring an automated car lift system that can stack up to four cars in one system, parking up to 132 cars in a limited amount of space. This system, which can be installed in an existing structure, will save time for residents, minimize environmental impact, increase safety, and provide convenience while requiring minimal space and reducing construction costs.

“It’s a significant challenge in the community, as it is throughout Nassau County, to find parking,” Sutton said. “Off-street parking is especially valuable, and the village of Freeport is basically creating an environment that addresses this need for its residents. There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to find a place to park or having to park on the street, which is scattered at best.”

The brand-new buildings are set to rise as part of the Moxey Rigby revitalization, each one bearing the name of a prominent figure in the community. The veterans’ building is to be christened the Weaver, in honor of Arthur Weaver, a World War II veteran and leader of the American Legion in Nassau County. The young workforce building will be dubbed the Prodigy, paying homage to the legacy of Albert Johnson, a Hampstead-born rapper who spent the majority of his life in Freeport. The building for seniors is to be known as the Alder, taking its name from the alder tree and the BOSFA Properties brand, which specializes in creating exceptional senior housing and superior senior living facilities.

The Moxey Rigby scholarship is set to commence after the project has been launched, most likely beginning next year. 

The scholarship — which aims to reward students for doing notable things and making a difference in the community — is open to any village resident graduating from a local high school or attaining the equivalent to a high school degree. The application process will be managed through the mayor’s office and the village Board of Trustees, which will be the ultimate arbiters of how each candidate is selected. 

“The idea is quite simple; we want to ensure that the young people residing in the Village of Freeport have the option to pursue secondary education beyond high school,” Sutton said. “To achieve this, the mayor will select a village resident each year who will be eligible to utilize the allocated set-aside of 10,000 dollars.”

The scholarship is a way of giving young people something to strive for and reinforcing the values that the mayor is trying to bring to the community. The scholarship is also geared toward providing support to those who may not have the financial means to pursue their educational or athletic goals.

“I think it’s a great asset to all of our children out there to be able to get these grants from a developer in the village and they want to be involved and we want them to continue to be involved,” Kennedy said. “So, scholarships would be great. I would definitely be glad to work alongside them to make sure this comes to fruition.”