Friday, June 15, 2018
Vol. 78, No. 24
$1
Mixed views aired on plan for Sears property
PICK A READING PARTNER
BY GARY SIMEONE
Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana reads to a kindergarten class during the “Pick A Reading Partner” (PARP) program held at Maria Montessori School located in Levittown.
TOB not content with garage bids BY GARY SIMEONE The Oyster Bay Town Board has rejected the offers of three bidders who were in line to repair the LIRR parking garage in Hicksville. As a result, the repairs, which were scheduled to begin July 9th, have been postponed to a further date. According to a consultant for the Town, the estimated costs for repairs, which include foundation and electrical/mechanical work, is $13.2 million. Bids for the project came in at a price range of $15.5 to 17.4 million. Deficiencies were also found in each of the three bids received by the Town which were sufficient enough to find the prospective bid-
ders non-responsive. “I will continue my commitment to our taxpayers to get this garage done properly without spending an exorbitant amount of the taxpayers dollars,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. He said that his hope is to get new bids for the project in by the end of July that are closer to the estimated $13.2 million cost. Repairs of the seven-year-old structure include a replacement of the concrete decking where cracks have developed, a drainage system overhaul, and mechanical and electrical work including replacement of lighting and security systems as well as replacement of gas and fire
detection infrastructure. Once a new bid is approved for the project, residents and commuters will need to seek an alternative parking plan during the 90-day construction period. The former Sears lot located off Route 106 will provide shuttle bus service to and from the LIRR station during peak hours. “Although this administration did not create this mess, we will certainly clean it up, and we ask that residents bear with us during this time of inconvenience,” said Saladino. He added that the Town has proceeded with litigation to recoup any and all costs that relates to faulty construction of the parking garage.
The necessary paperwork is starting to get filled out for the Heritage Village project that will encompass the old Sears property in Hicksville. Ideas for the project include an apartment complex, office space, retail outlets, and a luxury movie theater. Over five acres of green space is also planned for the area. “The project is still in the environmental review phase, and a zoning change public hearing is required before we can move forward on this,” said a spokesman from the Town of Oyster Bay. Not everyone is on board with the project, that will be part of Hicksville’s overall downtown development plan. Michael Zadayas, a resident of Hicksville, said that more housing in an otherwise crowded downtown area is unneeded. “The area around 106 and 107 is already so congested. The last thing we need is more housing and vehicles,” said Zadayas. Another resident, who didn’t want his name used, said that retail outlets and a movie theater makes no sense in that location. “There are already plenty of shopping outlets and a movie theatre across the street in the Broadway Mall,” said the resident. “It makes zero sense to add the same thing there.” Living space at the new complex would include 596 total rental apartments and 350 apartment units. Julia Leng, who regularly commutes to the city from the Hicksville LIRR station, said that the location would be of great benefit to people who live and work in the area. “I think more people and more retail outlets would definitely bring more people to the community and also bring more money in,” said Leng. A construction date on the project is still unknown at this point as the Town Board still needs to approve the environmental and zoning codes.
Division Ave. Class of 2018 honored PAGE 7 Hicksville BOE honors students, staff PAGE 2