Lindenhurst marina opening for first time since Sandy

The Village of Lindenhurst is opening up its marina for the first time since superstorm Sandy.
The village hopes to reopen the Charles J. Cowan Marina by next week, officials said. While boat slips will not be accessible, the marina, located at the southern tip of Wellwood Avenue, will be open for walking, fishing and crabbing, said village clerk-treasurer Shawn Cullinane. There will be limited parking, he said.

The village had just finished repairs to the marina due to damage from Tropical Storm Irene when Sandy hit. The latter storm left “not a scratch” on the new work, Cullinane said, but caused other damage, including to the roof and electrical system. Officials are awaiting a rebuilding plan to determine the extent of repairs, he said, but it will likely include the need for extensive electrical and plumbing work.

Cullinane called the repairs “the single biggest thing we do” related to post-Sandy work, saying it could cost as much as a half-million dollars. The work may take months, he said, and boating slips might not be open this summer.

The village is starting to get federal help with Sandy-related costs. Officials recently received the first check — $825,000 — from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The village has submitted for reimbursement of $1.7 million so far, Cullinane said.

“We’re due much more, but it’s a start,” he said.