A decade ago, the Town of Oyster Bay applied for a $10 million state grant for the revitalization of downtown Hicksville — but lost the bid partly because some officials thought then-Supervisor John Venditto wasn’t fully on board.

A year later, new Supervisor Joseph Saladino applied, promising mixed-use development, including housing, and a walkable area around the Long Island Rail Road station. Saladino himself made the presentation — and won.

“I knew I wanted to build a legacy, I knew I wanted to make a big impact, I knew I wanted to bring change,” Saladino recalled. “The portion of Hicksville at the railroad station was the portion that needed a transformation. And they picked up on my enthusiasm and my drive and my will to create a transformation that would make an impact for generations to come.”

But many had their doubts. Transformation? In Oyster Bay?

The stops and starts that followed were, at times, frustrating and infuriating. There were battles with the........

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