The Garden City News (2/6/26) by Litmor Publishing

Friday, February 6, 2026

Vol. 103, No. 6

Sell Ahead of Spring

Low Inventory , High Advanta ge

FOUNDED 1923 n LOCALLY OWNED AND EDITED

Erin Fleischm

n Licensed Real Estate Salespe rson O 516.307.940 6 | M 516.864.1 977 erin.fleischman n@elliman.co m Garden City Offi ce | 130 7th St reet 516.307.9406 | elliman.com

EPOA Scholarships PAGE 12 n Stratford Science PAGE 22

HARLEM WIZARDS COMING TO GC

Report suggests nonprofit role in St. Paul’s project BY MEG MORGAN NORRIS

Don’t miss out on the family fun and get your tickets now! On Friday, March 20, at 6pm in the Garden City High School gym, the GC teachers & staff will take on the world-famous Harlem Wizards in an exciting game of basketball! Superintendent, Dr. Sinha and High School Principal, Mr. Steingruebner are all smiles in support of this fun, community family event. See page 28.

North Avenue redesign approved BY RIKKI MASSAND At its meeting on Thursday night, January 22, the Village Board of Trustees approved modifications and capital improvements to the North Avenue and Nassau Boulevard area, converting the roadway from a two-way street between Nassau Boulevard and Kilburn Road to a one-way exit direct-

ing all traffic onto Nassau Boulevard. The Board approved a Public Works agenda item related to the improvement project, with contractor Laser Industries, Inc. performing the work u at an estimated cost of $75,000. The proposal was approved by the Garden City Traffic Commission prior to coming before the Board. That review

included outreach by the Public Works Department and input from several residents. Garden City Mayor Ed Finneran commended Superintendent of Public Works John Borroni and Village Trustee Vinny Muldoon, chairman of the Garden City Traffic Commission, for their work in reviewing the issue and involvSee page 30

On Thursday, February 5th, residents of Garden City heard a presentation of a report on some possible options for the St. Paul’s main building. The report discusses seeking “home rule” legislation from the New York State Legislature in order to break restrictions on the property due to its status as designated parkland. It also discusses means of financing future development of St. Paul’s by having a not-for-profit group, the St. Paul’s Conservancy, issue bonds in place of the Village. It also suggests that the Village consider a Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) of between one and three percent to help pay costs. The report was produced for the Garden City Board of Trustees by the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee, chaired by Robert Cattell and Frank Tauches. It can be found online at www.tinyurl.com/ StPaulsReport One of the suggested uses of the property would be for the Garden City Public School District to use the building for programs such as a Universal Pre-Kindergarten program or for science labs for Garden City High School. However the report also notes that St. Paul’s couldn’t be used as a school without receiving a waiver from the New York State Legislature because schools are not permitted uses for designated parkland. “Accordingly, the Committee suggests the prudent legal path is to seek relief through the New York State Legislature—sometimes referred to as ‘home rule’ legislation—if the Village determines to put a school in the Main Building,” the report states. Under state law, property designated as “parkland” is considered a “public trust” and its use is highly restricted. In the event that the village wanted to remove the parkland restriction entirely it would likely have to provide a replacement parcel of land as well as seek approval from the New York State Legislature, which the report also notes.

Rehabilitating a portion of building

The committee also examined the costs of rehabilitating 25,860 square feet of St. Paul’s and also bringing an additional 136,276 square feet up to code, but not restoring it, which was referred to as a “white box standard.” See page 30

Grapplers shine at championships PAGE 54 MS students present at board mtg. PAGE 19