Louis Gaston Jr., left, and his father, retired chiropractor Louis Gaston Sr., have proposed swapping a property in Freeport for a smaller, borough-owned lot next to their business at 301 Second St.

FREEPORT — The borough is considering a land trade with a businessman.

Councilman Richard Hastings, board president, said a proposed trade-off of a Riverside Drive lot for a borough-owned lot next to Louis Gaston Jr.'s building at 301 Second St. is possible.

“Borough code does allow a property swap when the property is of equal or greater value,” Hastings said.

Gaston Jr., who operates L.J. Gaston, which deals with defense products and other lines, with his father, Louis Gaston Sr., said the trade would benefit all sides.

“We felt a swap would be an easy solution,” Gaston said.

He said the lot, which is adjacent to his business office at 301 Second St., could be used for events to bring people into the borough.

“We're talking about artisan days,” Gaston said.

He said there are no immediate plans to build anything at the lot, which the borough now uses to lease spaces for large vehicles.

“We're not looking to build something right now,” Gaston said.

He said the borough would not have to do anything to the Riverside lot, which it already uses for overflow parking for events.

“It can remain a green space,” Gaston said.

He pointed out the borough would net more land off a trade.

“Our lot is significantly larger than the lot we're trying to swap for,” Gaston said.

He said he will present some proposed ideas of how to use the Second Street lot to council.

Gaston said the idea is to attract people to the borough.

“We want to increase exposure to local businesses,” he said.

Hastings said the borough's Property and Ordinance Committee is reviewing the proposal and will give a recommendation to the full council.

The elder Gaston is a retired chiropractor, whose office was on Route 356, and a former Freeport police officer.