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YORKTOWN, N.Y. - It's a concept that was first explored 15 years ago and is now being brought back to the forefront by Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace.
Grace has instructed Planning Director John Tegeder to develop a list of potential uses for the property at the corner of Front Street and Underhill Avenue where the highway garage has been located for nearly 60 years.
The envisioned plan would be to move the highway operations with other Department of Public Works functions under one roof in a new building on Greenwood Street.
"You have an eyesore in the middle of town," Grace said of the current highway garage. "We could expand Railroad Park and revitalize the area. This is something that has real potential. There's a lot of real good possibilities there."
Highway Superintendent Eric DiBartolo said when the proposal to build a "butler-style" building was studied in 1997 the cost was approximately $240,000. Today, he estimated it would cost between $500,000 and $600,000.
However, DiBartolo stressed he was wholeheartedly behind the idea, which would also result in the Parks Department facility at Downing Park moving to the hill on Greenwood.
"It makes a lot of sense. I think it's a phenomenal idea," DiBartolo said. "The biggest thing is you clean up the middle of town. It's definitely worth looking into it. It's a home run."
Besides Tegeder's expertise, Grace said he would like to get some businesses and stakeholders involved to weigh in on what could be a suitable replacement for the highway garage site.
Comments (2)
Just another idea that shows that the Town Supervisor has NO IDEA about saving taxpayer money. Not a clue.
A total waste of taxpayer money. Tear down a perfectly functioning building for a new one on Greenwood St. that, in the end, will cost much more than the 500 to 600K. I would say double those figures, that would be the actual cost. What about the increase of truck traffic on Greenwood St.? I wonder what the residents who live on Greenwood feel about that? Front St. has always been the "commercial" part of town. Tearing the town garage down won't improve anything. Hey, that's just my opinion. I'm still upset the old Mitchell Hardware building was torn down. What a beautiful old building...While we're at it, let's bring back "Otto's" too.