Huntington approves spending for additional repairs to LIRR garage

The Huntington Town board recently approved an additional $11,800 toward repairs to the Huntington Station Long Island Rail Road south parking garage.

The money will go to Manhattan-based Desman Associates, which was retained by the town in 2008 to provide professional engineering services to conduct a condition survey and evaluation of the garage.

Desman Associates officials requested a contract increase because the construction period for the rehabilitation exceeded estimates, according to town officials. The original contract was for $77,500 for engineering services related to the rehabilitation.

“It’s incumbent upon us as elected officials to maintain, and keep as a priority, the garage facility for our commuter and non-commuter residents,” town board member Mark Mayoka said. “We need to be proactive in maintaining the facility.”

Mayoka and board colleague Gene Cook sponsored the resolution to increase the contract. Last year, the town board approved a $962,000 contract with Structural Preservation Systems LLC of Long Island City to begin fixing the town-owned, three-decades-old structure, the first part of a multiphase renovation project.