Lindenhurst looks to buy property for parking

Lindenhurst Village is looking into buying a property in order to expand village parking.

The village board last month approved an agreement with Middleton Environmental Inc. of Babylon for an environmental study on 189 S. Wellwood Ave. The cost of the study is not to exceed $1,500. The board previously approved an appraisal of the property at a cost of no more than $2,000.

Village Clerk-Treasurer Shawn Cullinane called the 75-by-75-foot property a possible "good addition to our off-street parking" on South First Street. In addition to the metered spots along South Wellwood Avenue, there are six municipal lots of varying sizes and regulations in the village, he said.

Cullinane said the study is needed to ensure there are no environmental issues with the property.

"We want to make sure we're not buying a problem," he said.

The owner of the property declined to comment.

Residents in the village have long complained about a lack of available parking spots. With a high vacancy rate, the village has been working to improve its downtown, including parking.

In May the village's economic development committee invited a parking consultant who assisted with Patchogue's downtown revitalization to offer suggestions. The consultant, Gerard Giosa of Level G Associates in Old Bethpage, suggested offering a mix of free and metered parking and raising parking fees to pay for property for additional lots.