Sen. Schumer wants HUD to extend funding for Babylon park revitalization
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer on Monday called on the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to extend a Dec. 31 deadline for funds the agency had awarded Babylon Town for the redevelopment of a Wyandanch park.
The town stands to lose $400,000 of the $700,000 Community Development Block Grant it was awarded last year for the second phase of refurbishing Geiger Lake Memorial Park. A contractor who had been awarded a low-bid contract suddenly dropped out recently, officials said, and more time is needed to complete electrical and carpentry work.
Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned that the park project may be delayed if the funds expire.
"HUD cannot drop the ball," he said. "The Town of Babylon should not be forced to park Geiger's revival because of some bureaucratic gobbledygook, and that's what it is."
The town has been redeveloping the 23.4-acre parcel, which borders Deer Park, since 2011. The work is part of Wyandanch Rising, the town's $500-million public-private initiative to revitalize the hamlet.
"Taking the downtown of Wyandanch and turning it around is a metaphor for what we can do on all of Long Island," Schumer said.
The park previously had a pool, playground, baseball fields and basketball courts but was underused, town officials said, and fell into disrepair, attracting criminal activity.
The park's first phase of refurbishment -- a spray park and pavilion -- was completed two years ago. For the current phase, the town is building a playground and botanical garden, work that includes laying brick pathways and installing stone bridges and lighting.
HUD spokesman Brian Sullivan said the agency on Nov. 9 received the town's request for an extension until June 30 and is considering the request.
"When I weigh in with HUD, they usually listen, so let's hope they do this time," Schumer said, noting he is on the Senate housing committee.
Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer said he's secure in Schumer's influence. "He's pulled rabbits out of hats before for us so I'm confident he'll be able to do it again," he said.
Schaffer declined to speculate on where the town would get the money to finish the work should the HUD funding expire, only joking that he'll be "selling pencils on the corner."
Harald Aukland, 68, has lived near the park for 32 years and said he's been impressed with the town's efforts to improve it.
"It would be a shame to see it come to a halt," he said.
Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.
