Business owners whose customers utilize Parking Field 7S are outraged by a repaving delay which they claim has hurt them financially. They also allege the Village has not kept them informed.

"There doesn't seem to be any consideration and communication from the Village to the businesses on Seventh Street," said Norm Zimmer, owner of Culinary Heights. He estimates that his business has been off this month by at least 20 to 30 percent.

Carlo Lizza & Sons Paving, Inc. of Hicksville was hired by the Village to repave the parking field, which is located behind a strip of stores along Seventh Street. Village Administrator Robert Schoelle, Jr. explained that the project was to start at the beginning of August to minimize the impact on area businesses. Traditionally, the end of July through August is their slowest time of year.

The project was to be completed by Labor Day weekend. However, once the project began, the Village decided to save approximately eight trees, which necessitated a redesign of parking spaces. The contractor experienced a delay with the electrical work he subcontracted. Several days of heavy rain also caused work to unexpectedly cease. The Village also made the contractor re-do portions of work which they claim was not done properly, such as Belgium block work.

"We are very disappointed with the performance of the general contractor on this project," admitted Schoelle. At press time, he and Robert Mangan, director of the village's Department of Public Works, were expected to meet with the contractor on Sept. 28th. Schoelle said they are working toward an approximate completion date of Friday, October 13th.

After the wiring is completed, the contractor is expected to begin the milling phase, which involves the grinding, leveling and rolling of asphalt, and then apply the base and top coat and lines. The milling and coating work will take place at night, according to Schoelle.

"We are trying to keep the field in a safe condition for pedestrians and motorists," he said. "We are doing all we can to push the contractor for a reasonable completion date."

Business owners, however, want to see the Village push harder and complain that they are not being kept up to date on the project. According to Schoelle, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce was helping the Village by keeping owners informed. Two weeks ago owners received a notice from the chamber saying the project would be delayed, but Zimmer questioned why it came weeks after the project was to be completed.

"The main priority is to get this job done," said Roger Eltringham, president of the Chamber of Commerce. "Going forward, store owners have to be advised in advance as much as possible." Eltringham said it was after hearing from frustrated store owners that the chamber got involved last week to help the Village keep them informed on a timelier basis.

Kenny Mataix, owner of Bagelman, said that Tuesday was his worst day of business since he opened 18 and 1/2 years ago. He estimates business is down at least 70 percent. Robert Kloepfer, owner of Walk Street, said he has lost 80 percent of business over the last week.

Zimmer, owner of Culinary Heights, said that parking is limited even more by the contractor's equipment which has been sitting on the property. He criticized the Village for blocking off a number of spaces to trim hedges one week during the summer. Mangan told The Garden City News that it was actually an example of "smart management" because the majority of the lot was closed to cars at the time.

Zimmer also said that owners have also had an ongoing problem with enforcement of the three-hour parking limit in certain sections of the field. Many of the spaces are taken by employees. He acknowledged that owners should make sure their employees obey the restriction, but also called upon the police department to enforce the law.

Inspector Kenneth Jackson of the Garden City Police Department told The Garden City News that officers have continued to issue tickets for violations even though the lot is under construction. He would not say how many tickets have been issued.

After observing repeated instances of work having to be redone by the contractor, Zimmer says he is also frustrated that the lowest bidder was hired. According to Mangan, the Village is required by New York State law to accept the lowest responsible bid. He said the Village is contemplating what action can be taken against the contractor since the expected completion date has passed.