Broadway Commons Mall In Hicksville To Reopen

HICKSVILLE, NY — Broadway Commons mall in Hicksville plans to reopen this weekend with some major changes after Gov. Andrew Cuomo said malls can resume operations with certain restrictions under Phase 4 of the state's reopening plan.

The mall will open its doors Saturday, Newsday reported. Pacific Retail Capital Partners, which owns Broadway Commons and other malls across the country, told the newspaper the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at the property will be upgraded to come into compliance with Cuomo's order.

"Our operations teams are working with the HVAC specialists to refine all of our systems for compliance," the company said.

As Patch previously reported, malls in New York can reopen beginning Friday once the region they're in reaches the fourth and final phase of the state's reopening plan. But first, they must make it safe for customers.

Under the state's reopening guidelines, malls must ensure the building remains at no more than half capacity, including customers and workers. People must remain 6 feet apart from others outside their immediate group while inside, and must only be allowed to enter if they're covering their face. Workers also must wear face coverings when they’re within 6 feet of others and whenever they interact with customers.

Loitering is banned, food court and common seating areas must be restricted, and drinking fountains will be closed.

Amaka Oweazim, marketing director at Broadway Commons, told Patch in a phone interview Thursday the mall is installing self-cleaning NanoSeptic skins on high-touch surface areas, such as door handles and handrails.

The skins turn "dirty high traffic, public touchpoints into continuously self-cleaning surfaces," according to the product's website. "Powered by light, NanoSeptic surfaces utilize mineral nano-crystals which create a powerful oxidation reaction. Working 24/7, the surface continually oxidizes organic contaminants."

Hand sanitizer will be available for the public throughout the mall, and customers will be offered disposable masks if they try to enter without one. Customers will be turned away if they refuse to cover their face, Oweazim said. Individual stores will be asked to enforce mask-wearing as well.

Curbside pickup will still be available for those who don't feel comfortable walking inside the mall. Seniors, mall walkers and those with compromised immune systems are encouraged to visit between 11 a.m. and noon when the mall opens, Oweazim said.

Notably, the mall is working to install an enhanced HVAC filtration system and follow proper ventilation protocols set by state health officials.

Under the state's guidelines, malls must have HVAC systems that include filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV, rating that filters out the COVID-19 virus. If the mall takes certain steps, the system can run on a minimum MERV of 11. Ventilation protocols include increased outdoor air, reduced air circulation, longer system run times and frequent filter checks.

"There are air filtration systems that can take COVID out of the air," Cuomo said.

He later added: "What we're saying is — the best filter that we would like to see installed is what's called the MERV-13. It goes to the density of the filter and what it can actually filter out. MERV-13 filters out the COVID virus. Some systems can't take MERV-13, so it's either 13, 12 or 11. But one of those three filters— and then we have ventilation protocols."

The mall currently uses a MERV-11 system, but is working to get it to a MERV-13, Oweazim said, acknowledging "it's going to be difficult to get to it in only two days."

"The minimum is 11 and that's where we are," she said. "We're working to get to 13, but we're getting an electrical service provider for the units to make sure we'll be able to handle a MERV-13."