By Mike Russo
According to Carl Schroeder at the Nassau County Real Estate Office, the county is currently seeking to release a request for proposals on Coes Neck to a not-for-profit organization or educational corporation for the development of multi-purpose athletic fields, which would be accompanied with accessory structures, walkways, nature trails and the appropriate infrastructure. Schroeder insisted that the county would not take a proposal unless it had that aspect and that it also would have a provision for some public access to the facility.
Residents suspect that the county is attempting to lease the property solely to Molloy College for the development of their athletic fields. While they are concerned for the effect that sporting events would have on their quiet, residential community - including traffic, bright lights, and noise - residents also fear the environmental repercussions that may occur if the property was to be disturbed. The Coes Neck property is rumored to be the former dumping ground of the old Garden City Hotel, which many residents have claimed emitted poisonous gas that made them sick decades ago and turned some of their trees black.
"We feel that athletic fields is the worst thing that you can do to this property," said resident George Wade at the public hearing. "We don't see the public benefit that would justify the private hurt that we will suffer."
Resident Vanessa Allen described the property as a "peaceful eyesore", and insisted that the community has been opposed to its development from day one.
"I didn't buy my home to live in the environment that they want to change it to," said Allen.
Many residents voiced concerns over safety due to increased traffic conditions. They claim that there are many areas surrounding the property that have winding roads and blind spots that only residents of the community are used to. Increased traffic, especially that of young, inexperienced college drivers, would only enhance the probability of more fatal accidents, they say.
Edward Thompson, vice president at Molloy College and also chairman of an environmental group, confirmed that Molloy is interested in the development of the property for athletic fields, which would consist of one softball field, one baseball field and one field which would be used for both soccer and lacrosse. Thompson insisted that if the college were to receive this property, they would remediate it at their cost and would commit between $10-14 million to the project. He also said that Molloy is a Division 2 school, and that only 50-70 spectators attend per game. He said that the property would be open to community use more than half the time and those residents would have a say in how the surrounding property would look, including which trees they would wish to keep.
Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick), said that the county's plan of leasing the property seemed to be the antithesis of the Environmental Bond Act, which was created in part to preserve open space in Nassau County.
"I don't think anyone up here would want to live on a block where they would now have [ball fields] without enough parking so that your block now is the parking field for the private use of ball fields," said Denenberg. "It just seems to me this is not what we're supposed to be doing with the environmental bond act funds nor is this what has given the county one of the best reputations in terms or preserving open space."
The Baldwin Oaks Civic Association has been greatly opposed to the development of the property since years ago, when they released a survey to every home in Baldwin, South Hempstead, Rockville Centre and Hempstead, asking what they wanted on the property. While opinions were mixed, only nine percent supported the development of athletic fields. President Jacqueline Bell has been outspoken in her opposition to the development of the property for Molloy College. She claims that the county tried to enter into a deal with Molloy once before without notifying anyone in the surrounding community.
"There were times when we have been given the shaft and we don't want that to happen again," said Bell. "We are not going away and you will have to go through us."
The public hearing is the first of several steps that the county must take before it can lease the property. The case is subject to a vote by the Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee (O.S.P.A.C.) once the public hearing is closed. Once O.S.P.A.C. votes, the case is sent back to the Nassau County Planning Commission for them to issue a recommendation to the county executive regarding the release of the R.F.P. that is strictly for the development of an outdoor recreational facility through a lease that the county would issue to the successful proposer. The R.F.P. would then be subject to approval by the Nassau County legislature.
Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
