Winthrop-University Hospital has been given the green light to erect a “Welcome to Mineola” sign in the Mineola Long Island Rail Road station plaza.
The village board of zoning appeals approved Winthrop’s plans to replace a weathered welcome sign damaged during Hurricane Sandy at the board’s July 24 meeting.
“The sign was approved,” zoning board Chairman John Macedo said.
John Gibbons, acting village attorney, said the zoning board didn’t see any need to impose any conditions on the approval of the sign.
“I am fully satisfied. The board didn’t have any concerns at all,” Gibbons said.
Winthrop officials first broached the idea of replacing the existing sign atop the Station Plaza Coffee Shop last September. The shop is located near the $80 million diabetes and obesity research center now under construction at the corner of Mineola Boulevard and Second Street that village officials have said will be a “gateway” to the village’s downtown shopping district.
Macedo said the zoning board consulted with village Building Superintendent Daniel Whalen before reaching its decision. Whalen had rejected Winthrop’s plans for the sign, forcing its application to the board of zoning appeals, because village code prohibits signs on top of buildings.
The sign approved by the zoning board calls for two banners 36 feet in length. A top banner will be three feet in height and bear the words “Welcome to Mineola.” A bottom banner eight feet high will display the Winthrop-University Hospital name on it. An American flag will be placed between the two banners.
The current sign is missing the word “Mineola” on the top banner.
“Winthrop-University Hospital understands and values the importance of participating in the zoning board process, especially seeing as it relates to the beautification of a sign that welcomes all into our community,” the hospital said in a statement issued following the zoning board’s approval. “Now that we have secured the approvals, it is our hope that the Going sign company can begin the restoration process as soon as it is feasible.”
The current Winthrop welcome sign was erected in 1940 by the Going Sign Company, which at the time was located in the building on which the sign sits. The company relocated to Plainview in 1974.
Village of Mineola Scott Strauss said he’s eager to see the new sign, which will face northbound traffic above the railroad tracks on Mineola Boulevard as the old sign does.
“I’m looking forward to the replacement sign going up. The sign has been in disrepair for so long now,” he said.
Strauss said the building department must ensure that the rusted structure supporting the existing sign is in shape to carry the new sign.
“The building department has to make sure the repairs have been made to the structure on the roof,” he said.
Winthrop spokesman Ed Keating has said the hospital hopes to erect the new sign by the end of the summer.
Keating said the background color of the sign’s banners will be blue, replacing the red background on the current weathered sign.
