NEW DORP BEACH — Construction of a planned downtown hub with shops and outdoor dining could release toxins from the ground, the city has found.
The city determined that The Boulevard, which is expanding Hylan Plaza on Ebbits Street and Hylan Boulevard, could significantly impact the environment of New Dorp Beach and ordered developers to go through an environmental analysis.
The Department of City Planning found that construction of The Boulevard could release hazardous materials that are known to be in the ground at the site, increase traffic and parking in the neighborhood, and negatively impact air and noise quality, according to the agency.
On Monday, City Planning gave the project a "positive declaration," deeming it could have significant environmental impacts, and ordered developers Kimco Realty to complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before it can move forward.
Kimco Realty did not respond to requests for comment.
The proposal for The Boulevard would turn the Hylan Plaza shopping center into a "downtown hub" with a movie theater, supermarket, restaurants, retail stores and more, according to the site plan posted online.
Developers would add nine buildings to the plaza and keep two existing ones.
Kimco's The Boulevard - Hylan Plaza Redevelopment - Staten Island, NY from Kimco Realty on Vimeo.
The project is expected to be completed in 2019, according to city records.
For the 23.7-acre project, Kimco needs a zoning variance to build a group parking lot and to reduce the on-site parking requirements under the existing code, according to City Planning.
The city scheduled a public scoping meeting for the project on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Lou Caravone Community Services Building, 460 Brielle Ave. The public can also submit written comments on the project to City Planning until Oct. 12.
