Garage Asbestos Removal Complete

Asbestos removal on an old garage at 1000 New York Ave. is done and demolition is tentatively scheduled for late next week, Economic Development Corp. board members learned at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Once the demolition is done, the EDC will release an open request for proposals for construction at the approximately half-acre site. Developers can submit a new development plan or stay with the plans for a 10,800-square-foot mixed use office building that were submitted in a grant application that was funded with a $1.17 million reimbursement grant from the Empire State Development Corp.

The state will consider the proposals and may pro-rate the final reimbursement, depending on the proposal, said, EDC executive director.

“We want to cast the widest net possible,” in terms of requesting development proposals, Cergol explained. “The whole idea is for us to get this off the town’s ownership and back on the tax rolls as soon as possible.” Rob Ripp, board chairman, noted there will be a performance clause built into any contract that’s awarded that requires the winning bidder to complete work within 12 months of the date they take possession of the property.

Cergol also provided updates on several other projects. Work on streetscaping along New York Avenue is ready to start as soon as the weather allows, she told the board. The contractor has the necessary permits and approvals.

Plans for a plaza in front of 1000 New York Ave. are almost final, and the state Department of Transportation and town are researching ownership of the road, before a use and occupancy permit can be issued. It appears, Cergol said, that it may be a town-owned road after all, what’s called a market road, so need for a permit may not be an issue.

The Station Sports Family Recreation Center proposal is scheduled to go before the Town Board at 2 p.m. March 8 for a public hearing on a change to the Huntington Station business overlay district zoning to allow a game center, then to the Zoning Board of Appeals on April 7 for permits to allow a 10-foot variance for gaming near the branch library, and permission to use municipal parking to fulfill some of its parking requirements. Cergol said owner Brad Rosen has started interior work at 25 Depot Road while awaiting permits in hopes of getting work done in time to open this summer.

Members also were updated on plans for turning a state DOT drainage area along New York Avenue into a bird sanctuary or some sort of interactive park or passive recreation area. They hope to have a report from the engineers preparing plans to present at the next EDC meeting.