By Mike Russo
The bill, first proposed by Abrahams at the Nov. 17 meeting of the Legislature, would categorize the property, 33 acres of condemned county land in northern Baldwin, as a natural resource area perpetual preserve - one of six types of preserves recognized under the county charter. Under this classification, the property could never again be developed, and only park benches and a wood-chip walking trail would be allowed there. Civic association members strongly support the bill, saying that it preserves their way of life as a peaceful residential community.
Jacqueline Bell, president of the civic association, addressed the Legislature at the public hearing for the bill on Dec. 1, thanking legislators for working with the civic association over the last several years. "I am very thankful that you have listened to our comments," Bell said. "It's a great day for the residents of Baldwin and the residents of Nassau County. It's a beautiful, awesome space down there. It has been a long fight, but I think we're all better for it. Thank you for understanding where we are coming from and what this was all about."
Abrahams, who has held numerous meetings with the civic association on the Coes Neck property issue, commended the group's members for fighting for what they felt was right. "It's been a long process," said Abrahams. "But this is definitely a breaking point."
Earlier this year, the county planning commission voted to release a request for proposals on the property, seeking to lease it to an outside party for the development of recreational facilities - against the wishes of the county's Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee (OSPAC) as well as many Baldwin residents. When the RFP elicited only one response, from Molloy College, many residents were outraged, having already suspected a secret arrangement between the county and the college.
Molloy proposed building three athletic fields on one half of the property and maintaining the other half as a perpetual preserve for residents - all paid for by the college. Despite Molloy Vice President Ed Thompson's describing the proposal as a "public/private partnership," area residents strongly protested it because they said it threatened to disrupt their peaceful community, and they feared the release of contaminants that have settled in the soil from previous dumping of debris by the old Garden City Hotel, which ultimately caused the condemnation.
In mid-September, County Executive Tom Suozzi told residents at a Baldwin Oaks Civic Association meeting that he was rejecting Molloy's proposal as a result of the strong opposition.
If the bill is approved, the county has said that it will remove oil drums that remain on the property from previous dumping, but that cleanup work will not happen overnight. The county must issue a request for proposals for an outside firm to do the cleanup before any work can be done on the property. In addition, residents have been informed that the county will not maintain the property or accept liability for it, and that providing security for the parcel, which includes a 26-foot-deep lake, will be residents' responsibility.
Given the tough financial times, the civic association will likely have to find alternative sources of funding if it plans to follow through on the construction of a nature trail and park benches. Abrahams's bill will simply designate the property a perpetual preserve.
Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick) has stated on many occasions that there is money available for remediation from the county's 2006 Environmental Bond Act, and Bell has already requested grant money from the state and federal governments.
Monday's meeting of the Legislature is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building, 1550 Franklin Avenue in Mineola.
Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
