Proposed 12-Story Complex On LI's Gold Coast Faces Local Opposition

GLEN COVE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) --  Many Glen Cove residents welcomed plans to develop a former superfund site right along the Long Island's Gold Coast.

But now, new plans for Garvies Point includes a two 12-story, 1,100-unit residential towers -- what opponents have dubbed an 'urban-scale giant --' which they fear will tap out roads and services and mar waterfront views for miles, CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported.

"It was supposed to be marinas, restaurants, shops, retail," Grace Sleyzak, of Glen Cove, said. "We never expected a huge monstrosity."

According to RXR Vice President of Development Frank Haftel, building up rather than out offers the public more green space.

"Use the playgrounds, use the parks, walk along the new boardwalk, there will be an ampitheater," Haftel said. "It's an area we believe will be a cultural center and a destination."

Glen Cove Mayor Reginald Spinello says the upgrades will be a vast improvement over decades of crumbling industry.

"This project, I believe, is going to transform Glen Cove," Spinello said. "It will bring us baby boomers, young professionals and we'll get people from the city with disposable income."

But Bruce Kennedy, mayor of neighboring Sea Cliff, says that Glen Cove broke a 15-year-old agreement that the waterfront project would be half the size.

"This redevelopment is a regional issue," Kennedy said. "What they are looking to create is the largest building in Nassau, Suffolk County right on the waterfront."

Work on the project is expected to break ground next year, after almost 20 years of planning.

Opponents are still lobbying to dump the deal.