This week in Huntington newsletter: 141 free parking spaces added downtown
This new lot adds a total of 141 free parking spaces. Credit: Rick Kopstein
This new lot adds a total of 141 free parking spaces. Credit: Rick Kopstein
Happy Friday, everyone, and welcome, spring equinox.
I’m looking forward to a quiet first weekend of the new season, maybe taking in an early dinner downtown on Sunday.
That's right — downtown.
If you read my stories regularly, you may notice that when discussing restaurants and businesses in Huntington, I always refer to Main Street and the surrounding area as “downtown.”
While colloquially we all call it "the village," technically it’s not, because it’s unincorporated. In other words, it's not a legally organized municipality with its own elected officials. (By that standard, our town has four villages: Asharoken, Huntington Bay, Lloyd Harbor and Northport.)
Whatever you call it, one of the best new additions is a parking lot on the corner of New York Avenue and Gerard Street, the location of a former Chase bank. It’s right across the street from Urubamba Pisco Bar, the Peruvian restaurant mentioned in last week’s newsletter.
The lot adds 141 free parking spaces. While spaces along downtown streets are metered, did you know all off-street parking there is free?
It can be a challenge finding any parking, whether free or metered — a sign of the area's vibrancy — so the additional spaces are welcome. Town Supervisor Ed Smyth said feedback from merchants and residents has been “overwhelmingly positive” since the lot opened in December.
He said there are no plans right now to add more parking downtown, including a parking garage, though that's been discussed before.
“There will always be talk of a parking garage,” Smyth said. “But until there is some source of funding for it or a large grant, I don’t see any practical or foreseeable way to pay for it.”
The most recent estimate for a parking garage, dating from about seven years ago, put the price tag in the “ballpark of $20 million, so I can only imagine the cost now," he said.
So, do we have enough parking spaces downtown? What do you think is the best solution? Let me know at deborah.morris@newsday.com.
On a roll!
The Commack High School bowling team won it all in Syracuse. Credit: Ben Cleeton
The Commack High School's boys bowling team rolled their way to their first Division I state title in Syracuse this week, and Christopher Matias wrote about it. Way to go, Cougars!
Elsewhere in town
The Northport plant and its signature stacks. Credit: Newsday / John Keating
- The Northport electric-generating plant is among three that National Grid is considering repowering. Check out Mark Harrington's story. Did you know the Northport power plant is the Island's largest such plant?
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Those of us who call Huntington home know that homes here come in all shapes and sizes. My colleague Rachel Weiss wrote about a tiny house for sale in our town. The 490-square-foot home was priced at $400,000. As for parking? It's got a two-car driveway.
- Northport Mayor Donna Koch won reelection Wednesday as villages across Long Island went to the polls. Koch defeated Joe Sabia, a village trustee, to win a second four-year term.
- One of the lasting remnants from the winter is potholes. Reporter Carl MacGowan wrote about getting compensated — or not — from towns, villages, counties and the state for damage to your car. The bottom line? Don't get your hopes up. Know of any pothole trouble spots in town as we thaw out? Let me know about them at deborah.morris@newsday.com.
Things to do
Kids will be on an egg-citing mission at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Check out these fun and interesting things to do around town in the coming week.
Egg hunts
When: Saturdays and Sundays, March 21-22 and March 28-29, as well as April 2-4, in 20-minute sessions. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
What: Egg hunt for children up to age 6, with "helper siblings" ages 7-12. Must be accompanied by a paid adult. Participating child, $12; helper siblings, $5; adults, $7; ages 65 and older, $6.
Where: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
Information: Registration required.
A Community Conversation
When: Thursday, March 26, 6-8:30 p.m.
What: Join the Huntington Historical Society and Walt Whitman Birthplace Association for a community conversation and a chance to come together, share perspectives and discuss important issues in a respectful and open setting.
Where: Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Whitman Rd., Huntington Station
Information: Registration required.
Virtual presentation on the 1993-1994 New York Rangers
When: Thursday, March 26, 7 p.m.
What: Lifelong Rangers fan and historian Jim Ward will detail how the Rangers, led by captain Mark Messier, came together and finally ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought on June 14, 1994.
Where: Via Zoom
Information: Registration required, Cold Spring Harbor Library
Find more things to do at newsday.com/lifestyle.
Deborah Morris is a native Long Islander and covers the town of Huntington.
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