Village Responds To Questions About St. Paul's

Numerous citizen questions which have arisen over the last few weeks suggest that erroneous information has been circulating about the status of the St. Paul's project, according to Trustee Nicholas P. Episcopia, chair of the Public Information Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Episcopia made the following points:

Contrary to the assumptions of some, the Village of Garden City has not finalized a business deal with AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

The Board of Trustees has not even received a final report from the Special Mayor's Committee for St. Paul's, although one is anticipated in the immediate future, possibly as early as June 19.

The Village has not paid its real estate consultant, K. Backus and Associates, $600,000 (a figure some residents mistakenly suggested). The actual amount paid was $333,195, or about $83,000 a year for the last four years.

About $224,000 additional was paid quite a few years earlier to several consultants who carefully analyzed issues such as relocating school, library or Village functions to St. Paul's, demolishing the building or mothballing it. About $20,000 of that amount was for emergency roof repairs.

Parking for the St. Paul's complex will not affect the parking area now used for the St. Paul's fields.

Avalon's Danvers, MA adaptive reuse did not use the entire building but Avalon's Garden City proposal would save the entire exterior of the building.

There would not be an "enormous" impact on fire, police, water and sanitation services. Village police and fire officials say they see no need to add additional personnel because of the proposal. Water and sanitation services generate revenue to the Village and may, in fact, lessen the tax impact on other residents. Requiring Avalon to fund a private sanitation service is also an option.

"The Board of Trustees welcomes input on this important issue from all residents," Episcopia said, "especially input that is based on an accurate understanding of what is to be proposed.

"That's why the Village asked Avalon to do a series of community presentations to all four POAs, the Chamber of Commerce and other interested groups. As a result of that citizen input, Avalon has made significant changes to its original proposal. Once a final recommendation is made by the Mayor's Committee, there will be additional presentations and opportunities for citizen comment."