By Andrew Coen
The project includes remodeling the municipal parking lot between Frost Lane and Rockaway Turnpike, converting it into a centralized parking system and adding 24 parking spaces to the current total of 155. Two spots will also be added to the parking lot across Central Avenue, behind the Super Sol Supermarket, according to village officials. The project will also improve traffic flow from the Super Sol lot by making William Street, a one-way street onto which cars exit the lot, into a two-way street.
In addition, village officials are exploring the idea of installing more meters on Frost Lane and Central Avenue and adding around 17 more parking spaces.
Lawrence Mayor Dr. Jack Levenbrown had hoped to approve the bid for the project at the May 12 village board meeting, to provide ample time for construction to begin on July 1. But village trustees decided instead to hold the May 26 public meeting and then vote to approve the bid at the June 9 meeting.
The low bid for the parking lot redesign came from AII Allan Industries, a company recommended by the village's engineering firm, Cameron Engineering. AII agreed to take on the project at a cost of $394,000, much of which will be covered by a $350,000 state grant from Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).
The new centralized system will be similar to those used in Rockville Centre, Hempstead and Mineola, with drivers entering their parking-space number on a computerized meter system at the lot's exit. Drivers will not have to walk back to their cars and place a ticket on the dashboard, as they do under the New York City centralized parking system, according to Levenbrown.
The trustees debated a number of systems, including those used in Miami Beach and Israel, where credit cards and dollar bills are accepted in addition to quarters. "I want to make sure that the meters are as user-friendly as possible," Trustee Joel Mael said.
The project would allow cars to enter and exit on both sides of the Frost Lane-Rockaway Turnpike municipal lot, which currently has an entrance on the western end and an exit on the eastern side. The new design would change the angle of the parking spaces from the current 45 degrees to perpendicular, which, according to village officials, would make room for the extra spaces.
Village officials stressed the importance of providing the extra space for cars to enter and exit on both sides of the lot for safety reasons, since many ignore the one-way signs, causing near-collisions. "The traffic patterns in that parking lot are horrendous," said Lawrence Village Administrator Peter Overs, who will retire on July 1.
Village Clerk Toni Merendino, who will replace Overs, said that the parking lot project is a must to help improve the business district. "The business district should be matched up to the rest of the village," said Merendino.
Throughout the May 12 meeting, Levenbrown stressed the importance of beginning the project on July 1, since the summer is when much of the municipal lot is empty, with schools not in session. During the school year, much of the parking lot is utilized by faculty of the surrounding Brandeis School, Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway Middle School and Rambam Mesivta High School.
In addition to re-striping the parking lots, village officials' plan for the near future includes beautifying the business district between Washington Avenue and Rockaway Turnpike by adding new benches and plants. During a work session on the proposed parking lot redesign, held before the regular meeting on May 12, Deputy Mayor Simon Felder said that there needs to be more emphasis on upgrading the business district. "That small strip between Washington Avenue and Rockaway Turnpike deserves our attention," said Felder.
The public forum on the new parking meter system is scheduled for Thursday, May 26, at 7 p.m., at Lawrence Village Country Club.
Comments about this story? ACoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
