The Garden City News (5/10/24) by Litmor Publishing

Friday, May 10, 2024

Vol. 101, No. 19

When You’re My Client, You’re My Client for Life

FOUNDED 1923 n LOCALLY OWNED AND EDITED

Linda Brunni

Lic. R. E. Sales person O 516.307.940 6 | M 516.728.4 800 linda.brunnin g@elliman.com Garden City Office | 130 7th Street 516.307.9406 | elliman.com

GC for a Cure PAGE 58 n A garden grows PAGE 18

NYS grant for new sidewalk, projects

Parting shots from former St. Paul’s committee member

BY RIKKI MASSAND

The Garden City Village Board of Trustees has approved funding for several key projects, including a significant grant that will enhance pedestrian accessibility along Cherry Valley Avenue. At the board meeting on Thursday, April 18, trustees approved the acceptance of a $180,000 CREST grant. This funding will facilitate the construction of a new sidewalk on the east side of Cherry Valley Avenue, with the funds being transferred from the Business District Paving project account to ‘Road and Paving Repairs.’ John Borroni, Superintendent of Public Works, explained that shifting the $180,000 to a cash account was necessary to meet the criteria for the grant. The new sidewalk will extend from Sixth Street under the overpass to connect with the existing path at Stewart Avenue, creating a seamless pedestrian route between Cathedral Avenue and Cherry Valley. Village Administrator Ralph V. Suozzi detailed the cooperation with the office of New York State Senator Kevin Thomas in securing the CREST grants. The grants, Suozzi noted, require cash-based funding rather than bond financing. “One CREST grant is for new police vehicles as GCPD Commissioner Jackson was the first to apply when Sen. Thomas brought this up at National Night Out (in

During the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, April 18, residents used the public comment period as an opportunity to pose questions about the process Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan set for evaluating the potential and future project of the historic St. Paul’s main building on Stewart Avenue. Resident Ryan Mulrooney, who announced plans to move from Garden City, was recognized for his family’s contributions to the community. He challenged the Village Board, referencing a Village of Garden City website post from March 1, which contained a report by the law firm Ruskin Moscou Faltischek. The firm critiqued the St. Paul’s Alliance’s proposal to renovate St. Paul’s main building as “unfortunately vague and critically incomplete.” Mulrooney questioned which proposal was reviewed and who presented it. He further inquired about the discussions and evaluations that followed the financial plans proposed by the St. Paul’s Alliance in 2023, questioning whether the material was outright dismissed by the board. As the board progresses with its outreach efforts, a “drop-in kickoff event” is planned for May 14 at the Garden City Casino to discuss the Recreation Master Plan and St. Paul’s Use Plan. The event will take place at the Garden City Casino from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend at any time they can. In response to Mulrooney’s concerns, Mayor Carter Flanagan noted that the village’s press releases and the St. Paul’s Alliance website shared similar figures. Trustee Ed Finneran added that the Alliance’s website featured a PowerPoint presentation detailing the financial aspects, which Mulrooney argued represented only an outline and not a formal proposal The mayor acknowledged that the numbers presented were not vetted by the Village Treasurer or experts, and the board had no details on the source or structure of the financing. She said, “I presumed that the number presented

See page 48

The Garden City Boys Varsity Lacrosse team asserted dominance over Cold Spring Harbor with a 12-4 victory on the same day that former coach Tom Flatley was honored for his service to the athletic program. See page 54

See page 31

Historical Soc. remembers Brian Pinnola PAGE 30 GC Friends of Music present awards PAGE 39