By MIKE CAPUTO
Construction crews are expected to break ground on a new Atlantic Beach Estates beach club sometime next week.
Although Town of Hempstead officials contend that the beach will be fully operational from this weekend through Labor Day, there is expected to be limited parking and a temporary entrance for beachgoers.
"We questioned if this is a reasonable thing to do," said Raina Russo, an Estates resident. "After almost eight years, we are extremely excited to get started but at the same time, do not see the need to negatively impact our beach season. There are reasonable alternatives that could work for everyone."
Hempstead town spokeswoman Susan Trenkle said an agreement has been reached with Atlantic Beach village officials to grant access to Estates residents to their bathroom facilities and an entrance on Jefferson Boulevard.
The distance from the Jefferson Boulevard entrance to the beach maybe a deterrent for Estates residents, which stands about three blocks west of its usual entry-way, Russo suggested.
"It is an adult morning jog, but not an option with young children, beach chairs, beach bags, etc," Russo said.
Several residents said that they did not receive any official notification about the beach club project. Most learned about the beach plans through the grapevine, after Russo and a few of her friends initiated communication with the Town of Hempstead.
Russo recalled residents telling her that if they were notified of the starting date of construction, they would have sought memberships to private beach clubs in the area.
The lack of communication coupled with poor timing has irked some Estates residents so much that they have established their own version of a civic association.
"We are simply local residents asking questions and willing to do what it takes in hopes for positive changes to our community," Russo said.
The Atlantic Beach Estates Advocates, formed by Russo and fellow residents Karen Nessim, Rachel Prince and Jill Roth, launched an interactive Web site for interested community members that includes sections for community news and a blog for discussion and feedback.
According to Russo, the group aims to provide residents with a voice, especially when it comes to issues such as the beach club project. Since Atlantic Beach Estates is not incorporated like the Village of AtlantiConstruction may dampen beach season c Beach, residents have to direct all inquiries to the Town of Hempstead.
Atlantic Beach Estates residents are considered to be in a special taxing district, which supports the Town-run beach. There have not been permanent beach club facilities for eight years, when the previous one was closed and torn down. Since then, beachgoers have utilized temporary bathroom facilities, but still had the benefit of valet parking and a free jitney for drop-off and pick-up at the beach. Valet parking is out for summer 2008, and the parking situation is still unclear.
If parking is insufficient, some residents may consider purchasing a $200 permit to park in the Village of Atlantic Beach.
Despite the inconveniences that may face Estates residents this summer, Hempstead town officials insist that residents will be pleased with the new facility upon completion sometime in 2009.
"The town has worked to ensure that residents are still able to enjoy the beach this summer," Trenkle said. "The end result is that they will have a beautiful, refurbished beach club."
The founders of ABE advocates agreed that construction should have begun at the end of last summer. However, Trenkle said that the concrete work required for the project was not "practical" for the winter months.
For more information or to fill out a petition, visit the Atlantic Beach Estates Advocates Web site at www.freewebs.com/abeadvocates.
Read next week's Herald for more on the Town of Hempstead's plans for a new beach club in the Atlantic Beach Estates.
Comments about this story? Mcaputo@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 ext. 210.
