Glen Cove BID and Youth Bureau spruce up garage

In collaboration with the Youth Bureau, the Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District is beautifying the Brewster Street parking garage, inside and out.

Throughout July, members of the Youth Bureau are helping to paint directional signs in the garage, making it easier for drivers to find their way. One side will be painted with red signage, and the other with blue. “It really benefits the downtown businesses, because I feel like we’ve made this more user-friendly,” said Patricia Holman, the new BID director.

“The work is certainly something they’re going to remember,” said Brian Mercadante, chairman of the BID’s Capital Improvements Committee. “When they’re done, they’ll have a big sense of accomplishment, and the BID is very excited about having them help the downtown look better.”

The Capital Improvement Committee paid for the stencils and materials, and the Aboff’s store across the street donated the paint.

Youth Bureau volunteers will finish painting the signs on every floor of the garage over several weeks. “It’s a good way to give back to the community,” said Mykaela Pajuelo. “I don’t drive yet, but even when we come in here, it’s hard to tell where you are and what level you’re on or where you’re going. So, with these, it’ll be a lot easier.”

Youth Bureau Coordinator Jacquelyn Yonick said that the youth bureau members were excited about helping with the project. “We’re always looking for projects that are substantial for students to do during the summertime,” Yonick said. “It gives them that sense of community pride while they’re accomplishing something for their first job experience.”

In addition to the new signage, the BID has implemented an irrigation system outside the garage to water the landscaping, a project that the organization has pursued for years. “We had plants that we had planted, and they always died because there was no water,” Holman said. The irrigation system was installed by Grennan Irrigation, and the new flowers, shrubbery and grass were planted by Cabo Landscapers, both local businesses.

“I’m really glad that this came to fruition,” Mercadante said. “The city and the youth program, they got together and made something nice happen for the community.”

In the future, the BID will replace the parking garage signs on the streets, and BID officials hope to eventually create a painted mural inside the garage to add even more color and life to the area.