A new merchant parking lot was opened recently on the site of the former Shields House property at 1070 Port Washington Blvd. The dilapidated Shield House was demolished in 2013 to make way for the new 28-space lot.
Merchants can purchase a parking spot for a year for $750. According to a Town of North Hempstead (TONH) application form, a merchant can apply for up to three identification stickers for parking spots per year. On each application, merchants can register up to two cars to park in each spot at different times. The merchant must pay an additional $15 for the second car. Depending on demand, parking stickers may be assigned by lottery.
The lot also has bike racks to lock bicycles at no cost.
North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth, Town Clerk Wayne Wink, Receiver of Taxes Charlie Berman and Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the lot on Nov. 18. Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said, “Providing a pleasurable and convenient shopping experience in our downtowns is of paramount importance to this administration, and having ample parking is key to achieving that. This new lot will free up prime spaces, which we anticipate will improve business for the shops and dining establishments along Main Street.”
“I would like to acknowledge and thank the Port Washington Parking Committee, Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District for all of their time, efforts and contributions in making this project a reality,” said Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio.
“It was a blighted property and now it’s a beautiful functional space that can impact our parking challenges,” said Mindy Germain, executive director of Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington. “We’re hoping merchants will participate in this new amenity, and it will free up some on-street parking for shoppers.”
Town officials authorized $483,465 in construction for the 13,050-square-foot lot, but estimated that the project, which took four months to complete, would cost between $455,000 to $465,000.
Local merchants may request an assigned spot by going to visit 15 Vanderventer Ave. and filling out an application. The cost of a parking space in the lot is $750 for one year. Call 516-869-6311 with questions about the program.
