Babylon Town OKs $300G for Sandy repairs
Billy Bornholdt, right, along with his son, also named Billy, survey the damage to the fishing pier at Captree State Park in Babylon in the wake of superstorm Sandy. (Nov. 20, 2012) Credit: newsday /Thomas A. Ferrara
The Babylon Town Board has signed off on contracts worth more than $300,000 to three area engineering firms, an early step in a $22.5 million push to rebuild town parks, beaches, pools and docks damaged by Sandy before Memorial Day.
Construction is slated to begin by the end of the month, giving the firms until Thursday to prepare design documents for a host of projects from the barrier beaches to mainland parks.
Refurbishing Overlook Beach alone could cost $6 million, Councilman Tony Martinez said on Thursday, a day after the board voted on the contracts. Sandy dumped so much sand onto the boat ramp at Venetian Shores Park that it's virtually unusable, he said.
"We're hoping to get as much back from FEMA as we can," town spokesman Kevin Bonner said.
Some facilities, built years ago, will be rebuilt to modern standards. That could cost the town more in the near term but Martinez said it was prudent with more storms expected. "We've got to prepare for the next one," he said.
Out East Show: LI Aquarium, Patty's Berries and Bunches, Palmer Vineyards NewsdayTV's Doug Geed shows us some great spots 'Out East' to visit this summer.
Out East Show: LI Aquarium, Patty's Berries and Bunches, Palmer Vineyards NewsdayTV's Doug Geed shows us some great spots 'Out East' to visit this summer.
