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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.
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