The Village of Mineola is waiting for minor problems to be corrected at the new Harrison Avenue parking structure before taking ownership, according to Mayor Scott Strauss.
Earlier in the month, the MTA said that the structure, which has been completed since November 2020, is awaiting approvals for building paperwork and permits before the village takes ownership.
Strauss said previously that he doesn’t want to take control of the garage until everything is sorted on the development side. He likened it to paying a contractor before the job is done and said he believes if potential issues arise after the village takes control, the contractors won’t be able to return in a timely manner.
With similar projects, after completion any maintenance or issues that have to be fixed would be dealt with by the MTA. Specifically with the Harrison Avenue parking structure, the village would be responsible for any repairs, changes or issues that occur during its ownership.
In a statement to Blank Slate Media, Strauss said that difficulties with the final steps of development are not uncommon, but the village is working to confirm a hard deadline.
“This project has been extremely challenging and at times incredibly frustrating,” Strauss said. “The village requires and needs to ensure that all of the 3TC’s work meets all contract requirements and is properly functioning.”
Reasons for the delay include, according to Strauss, minor drainage issues on the south side basement and outstanding training for village employees for the lighting, ventilation and parking systems.
Although unhappy with the delays, Strauss said the village is lucky the board did not account for any revenue to come in from the structure. Since construction began three years ago, trustees have differed on whether to include projected revenue in the village budgets, ultimately agreeing not to until it is completely ready.
“We’ve been lucky to keep it out of the budget,” Strauss said. “I can’t account for something I don’t have.”
Part of the LIRR Expansion Project, the garage has been constructed at the Mineola station west of Mineola Boulevard between Harrison Avenue and First Street and replaces a surface-level parking area. The five-level, 551-space garage represents a net increase of 446 parking spaces serving the Mineola station.
The parking garage is one of two being built in conjunction with the Long Island Rail Road’s project, which is adding a third track on the Main Line between Floral Park and Hicksville.
Efforts to reach the MTA for comment were unavailing.
