Village Alerts Residents to Be Prepared for ‘Minor Delays’
Garden City residents who walk or drive down Franklin Avenue will notice that four of the pedestrian crosswalks will soon get a new look. After the village board approved the replacement last year, the Department of Public Works has finally begun working on the project this week.
According to the village website, the work is being performed in two phases. Phase 1 will consist of night work, which started April 25. The work will take place from Seventh Street to 11th Street at the intersections of Franklin Avenue. Working hours will be between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Friday, with some flexibility in either direction based on the work scheduled. Phase number 1 will last for seven work nights.
After phase one is completed, there will be a two-week period where the base installed will be allowed to set up. After this time period, phase two will begin. During phase 2, the actual decorative crosswalks will be installed. The work may be done during the day on the side streets (if this is not possible, it will be done at night) and at night on Franklin Avenue. This phase is expected to last 12-15 work days, as indicated on the village’s website.
In October 2010, the village board of trustees approved the replacement of four crosswalks on Franklin Avenue in Garden City, which will be funded by the village’s $4.6 million capital improvements bond issued in 2010. Trustees awarded a bid for the work to NY Paving for a cost of $287,250.
During a special village board meeting on Sept. 22, 2010, Trustees Dennis Donnelly, Nicholas Episcopia, Andrew Cavanaugh, Lawrence Quinn and Brian Daughney voted in favor and (former) Deputy Mayor Donald Brudie voted against. Former Mayor Rothschild and Trustee Watras were not in attendance to vote.
At a previous board meeting, Brudie told the board that he did not think the color of the paver to be used for the project was attractive. “I am opposed to the color of it, what it looks like. As far as I am concerned I think it is experimental, but I don’t know that as a fact. But I have seen it in other villages and I don’t think it is attractive. I don’t think it is aesthetically pleasing to an upscale village like Garden City,” Brudie said.
At the most recent board meeting, Director of Public Works Robert Mangan confirmed that the paver to be used would be a red brick color. Mangan stated in a September board meeting that the crosswalks will be replaced using a product called Imprint, which he stated was a resin-based synthetic asphalt, so it should be impervious to salt damage and should hold up well to severe weather conditions.
The village website states that during phase 1 and 2 of the project, working hours/days lane closures and some minor detouring should be expected. During non-working hours, Franklin Avenue will be open for full use. The village asks that residents please be mindful of this work and be prepared for minor delays; if possible, plan an alternate route.
Residents with any questions may call the Garden City Department of Public Works at (516)-465-4004 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; or visit the village website at www.gardencityny.net.
