By Robert Remler
The village will soon have a new look, thanks to federal and state funding for five projects totaling almost $4 million scheduled to begin in the spring. The work will mark the beginning of an upgrading which even Mayor Edward Cahill thinks is overdue.
A portion of Rockaway Avenue will be one of the first places to see improvement, with half a million dollars earmarked for Streetscape, a sidewalk-renovation project to attract new businesses.
Village Clerk Vincent Ang said the Rockaway Avenue work will start at Merrick Road. Streetscape will replace worn sidewalks with bricks, and old-fashioned-style lamp posts and attractive benches will be installed.
"We hope this will be the start of improving the complete downtown section of Rockaway Avenue including the other side of Sunrise Highway," said Mayor Cahill.
Streetscape's second phase will begin next year, with renovations continuing along Rockaway Avenue toward the train trestle parallel to Sunrise Highway, Ang said. Similar programs are underway throughout the county.
Getting to the renovated Rockaway Avenue will soon be easier, thanks to a $3 million road project starting when the weather gets warmer.
The first phase of an expected two-year road renovation program is scheduled to begin in the summer, though it's too soon to know how many streets will be redone, Ang said.
The road renovations are overdue, Cahill said, and "many people are looking forward to the project." He said that Fletcher Avenue, Gibson Boulevard, Ballard Avenue and other such well-traveled roads will be first on the list for attention.
A mayoral-appointed blue ribbon panel reviewed engineering firm bids and recommended two companies, from which the village selected the lowest bidder, Carmen & Dunn of Lynbrook, said Ang.
Better paved roads will smooth the way for many residents to take advantage of improvements scheduled for Hendrickson Park. These improvements - thanks to a $280,000 state grant obtained through former Assemblyman James Darcy and State Sen. Dean Skelos - will improve lighting in the park, resurface the basketball courts, add benches and construct a pedestrian walkway.
The improved lighting will address safety concerns and make the park more appealing, said Mayor Cahill. Getting a Nassau County mounted patrolman assigned to the park is something that Mayor Cahill is considering. The presence of a uniformed officer is very impressive, said the mayor, a former New York City police officer.
Renovations are also planned for Firemen's Field, including parking lot drainage improvements and a new club house, according to Ang.
"This will be a great facility for all the teams that utilize Firemen's Field," said Cahill. Renovations at the field will also include room for teams to store equipment as well lockers and showers.
Work at Firemen's Field is scheduled to begin in the spring. Shortly after the drainage problems have been corrected, long a complaint of residents, construction on the club house will begin. Work at Firemen's Field is expected to be completed by next fall or early spring.
Construction of an 82-car parking lot next to the hockey rink is the fourth project on the village agenda. "We are hoping to break ground this summer on this lot," Ang said, to be built on what is now a dirt grassy area.
Money for the parking lot project will come from a $286,000 state grant obtained through State Sen. Skelos and former Assemblyman Darcy.
"This lot will increase commuter parking and loosen up parking for residents," Cahill said. He said that the additional parking area, which is close to Rockaway Avenue, is yet another way that the village expects to attract businesses to Valley Stream.
