By Leslie Gonzalez
A year after the successful revitalization of Lynbrook's main shopping area, residents can expect to see more improvements to their village in 2001.
The most anticipated addition to Lynbrook this year will be the village's new public pool complex, scheduled to open May 26. Concrete has already been poured for the 75 by 50-foot pool.
The pool house roofing is next, and the pool's chlorine tanks will be installed in the basement, said said Phil Healy, Public Works Director. Once plumbing and electrical systems are tested, the final step will be concrete decking
The pool will have eight swimming lanes and will feature a water slide, splash pool, food court and wheelchair access ramp. Umbrellas, lounge chairs, tables, a sound system and lighting will also be added.
Village officials hope to sell the excess topsoil and sand accumulated at Wilcox Alley from the pool and other village projects. Bids for these materials will be received on Friday, Feb 23.
Legislative action is being taken to acquire a piece of watershed property adjacent to the soccer field on the corner of Ocean and Lakeview Avenues. The 710-foot parcel of land, owned by Nassau County, has been described as an eyesore and was once used as a dumping ground for leaves and yard waste.
We're looking to turn this property into a health course, said Trustee J. Kevin Kelly. The move has been applauded by the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The village's Department of Public Works is currently involved in a two-site expansion project. The vacant Friendly's at 548 Merrick Road was purchased by the village and will be renovated to house DPW offices, truck bays and storage space. The new building will also be used by the village's auxiliary police.
At the DPW's Crab Avenue site, an 8,000 square foot building dating back to the 1930's will be demolished. A new, 13,000 square foot, 18-foot tall structure will be built in its place that will meet current health and fire codes. Officials hope to have the project completed in nine to 12 months.
The second phase of the rehabilitation of Yorkshire Brook is expected to begin in late spring. The brook was dredged by the DPW in late 1999 to help control flooding problems. Contract bids will be received March 1 for the installation of a retaining wall and fencing along its sides. Once started, it will take approximately 75 days to complete the necessary work.
About nine or ten streets throughout Lynbrook will also be improved this year, including Forest and Lynbrook Avenues and Baylis Place.
Full reconstruction will include curbs, shoulders and repaving, said Healy.
Lynbrook officials are finally seeing progress on a project they've been asking about for more than five years: additional lighting along the Long Island Rail Road. Lighting was recently installed by the LIRR along Sunrise Highway east of Forest Avenue. Village officials say more lighting will be added between Broadway and Atlantic Avenues as well as in the area beneath the train station.
Federal funding distributed by New York State will provide an estimated $1,400,000 worth of visual improvements along Sunrise Highway, which will include lighting, the addition of sidewalks, and other aesthetics such as landscaping.
"The lighting along Sunrise Highway is now in its engineering stage," said Trustee Morrey Forman. Residents will begin to see the changes next year.
Also new are over 25 signs installed by the DPW that prohibit heavy trucking on Atlantic Avenue. The new signs replaced previous signs that were removed during construction. While the old signs prohibited vehicles carrying hazardous materials such as gasoline, police say the new signs also alleviate traffic congestion by prohibiting all trucks over 8,000 pounds. This has made the downtown area safer for shoppers and businesses.
Picker Pharmacy, one of Lynbrook's oldest businesses, will be moving to rented space at 18 Atlantic Avenue at the end of this month. The fate of the stores beneath the LIRR trestle, most now vacant, was discussed last Thursday morning between Lynbrook officials and LIRR personnel. The buildings are LIRR-owned, and most are in need extensive repairs to fix structural problems and roof leaks.
Stores to the east of Atlantic, such as the old Mur-Lees, may be kept, said Trustee Thomas Miccio. But stores to the west, including the Pickers location, may be demolished to provide an additional 30 to 50 parking spaces.
In exchange for demolition by the LIRR, village officials may agree to maintain the lot, which will provide much-needed parking for commuters and shoppers. Also discussed was the possibility of the village and the MTA.splitting money collected from the parking meters.
Splitting the money has yet to be worked out to the village's advantage, considering the cost of upkeep and patrolling of the area, said Miccio.
Peninsula Counseling Center, the majority of whose clientele are from Lynbrook and Valley Stream, may consolidate and move its offices to Lynbrook, which would give roughly 150-200 employees access to Lynbrook's shopping areas. No building has been chosen yet.
Although United Artists is currently under bankruptcy protection, UA officials still plan to renovate the village's movie theater before summer.
Next week: Works in progress for 2001 in Malverne and East Rockaway.
Centennial celebration for fire department
Motorists driving along Sunrise Highway in Lynbrook will soon notice two new signs advertising the Lynbrook Fire Department's 100th anniversary celebration, scheduled for June 30. Festivities will kick off at 8 a.m. with an old-fashioned relay in which volunteers must complete a series of fire-related responsibilities, such as hosing and ladder-climbing, in a set time limit without the aid of trucks and other modern technologies.
Fire departments throughout Nassau and Suffolk have received invitations, said First Deputy Chief John Matzen. The event will culminate in a special parade, after which departments will be awarded for best appearance.
