By Sarah Moskowitz
After being in the works for more than 4 years, the first phase of a Waterfront Revitalization Project is scheduled to begin in the next week. Construction will start at the Talfor Memorial Boat Basin, along the waterfront at Dock Street and Main Street where deteriorated bulkheads, or the sea wall and poles that separate land from water, will be replaced. The revitalization project's purpose is to cease bank erosion and to reduce flooding by raising bulkhead height.
Of the entire project, this first part alone will take between eight to 10 months to finish, with the time frame leaning on the longer side should a harsh winter take its toll on construction.
Overall, the village seeks to remove and replace a 1,800-foot stretch of bulkhead along Mill River on the east side of Ocean Avenue, with the exception of Pathmark's property on Atlantic Avenue. Modifications will begin at the south tip of the boat basin and will travel northward. In total, construction is projected to take between 18 and 24 months to complete.
"I'm glad to see it come to actual physical work being done, which will allow a better downtown area," said East Rockaway Mayor Charles Formont.
The project also aims to develop a park at White Cannon Point, an area of land at the corner of Althouse Avenue and Dock Street. The site now is a parking lot across from the East Point Inn, and was donated to the Village of East Rockaway by restaurant owner Don Colwell and his family. The proposed park features decorative benches, a gazebo, a brick promenade and a boardwalk.
The waterway surrounding White Cannon Point will have its drainage system modified, and village plans showcase floating docks with space for about 20 vessels and finger piers for fishing. The marina has not been in operation for 2 years due to its poor condition. These modifications are scheduled for spring 2003.
Additional renovations include the reconstruction of the southern municipal parking lot at the railroad station on Ocean Avenue. The walkway area will also be upgraded. The Long Island Rail Road, the Metro Transit Authority, the state Department of Transportation, the state Parks Department and several additional sources provided funding for this phase.
The village has put $1.2 million from the East Rockaway Capital Improvement Fund towards the project, plus other grants from various departments around the state. Through a state Strategic Investment Fund, Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) secured $360,000 towards the Talfor Boat Basin project. A final cost for the entire Waterfront Revitalization Project has not been determined.
Architectural work was done by Wax Ferraro and engineering by Carman Dunne, official East Rockaway Village engineers, both of Lynbrook. Atlantic Coast Dockbuilders of Islip are contractors for the waterway construction.
The village plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony at the Talfor Basin in early October. The date will depend on good weather to permit building materials to be shipped in.
"We're hoping to have a big impact on the economy of the village," said village Building Department Superintendent Dennis McCabe. He added, "We realize that there will be some minor inconvenience during construction. We will do everything we can to limit the negative effects on people."
The Waterfront Revitalization Project is part of the Operation Downtown Project, which in fall 2001 replaced sidewalks and streetlights on Main Street and added decorative brick paving. Rehabilitation on Main Street will continue with the remodeling of storefronts.
