FARMINGDALE, NY (WCBS 880) - Lots of folks already come to the village of Farmingdale on Long Island to shop, eat, and take a nearby Long Island Rail Road train.

WCBS 880′s Sophia Hall On Long Island

Now, the mayor wants to add affordable housing to the downtown area to keep young people from moving to other places.

Mayor George Starkie says he wants to put apartments above businesses in the downtown area. Years ago, there were apartments there.

“It’s an old idea that used to be the way the village was developed. Many years ago, they outlawed it and now the rules are going to be ’No, you can do it.’ We’re going back in time realizing that the train stations were the center of activity for all downtown areas,” says Starkie.