Since 1986, 39 acres of real estate along the Long Island Expressway in Syosset have remained unused and have been the subject of great debate. 

This land was purchased by the Taubman Companies  in 2004 for the purposes of building an upscale shopping center dubbed “The Mall at Oyster Bay.”

For more than 17 years, some members of the surrounding community have been opposing the mall and have proposed alternate development at the site.

The Town of Oyster Bay now seeks to sell adjacent land to a third party and the Taubman group and others have opposed this sale in the manner proposed.  As a result of the opposition, the Town of Oyster Bay has called for a Referendum Vote on August 20, 2013 where Town of Oyster Bay residents can weigh in on the sale of the adjacent parcel of land.

CoNCA has not taken a position in this matter at this time and will continue to monitor and report developments concerning this long standing debate.

Visit the following links for more information on this subject:

Proponents of the Mall Development:  http://longislandjobsnow.com/

Opponents of the Mall Development: http://www.nomallhere.com/

Town of Oyster Bay’s Position on Proposed Land Sale:   http://www.oysterbaytown.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BBDEA5174-3DE0-4BA9-9188-9B44624B0F22%7D

On August 20, 2013 voters approved the sale of the town land.  See http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/oyster-bay-land-sale-approved-1.5922179

Update: In January 2014, Taubman sold its parcel to Simon Property Group.  Discussions are now under way for mixed use at this location as opposed to solely a mall.

See newsday:  http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/mall-developer-promises-mixed-use-for-former-cerro-wire-site-1.6917674