By Stacey Altherr
It was a long time coming, say many residents and business owners. And although the Lake Avenue project in Saint James’ business district may be on budget and on time (actually, much earlier), there are roadblocks that could mean it may not reach its full potential for a while.
Part one of Lake Avenue Smithtown’s 8.2 Million Dollar Road Part I
Project’s Early Completion
Despite the arduous task of digging underneath railroad tracks (and the multi-governmental approvals that it took), the project is 90 percent complete and Lake Avenue is open for business six to seven months ahead of schedule.
Drone shot of Lake Avenue (September)Minor tasks still need to be done, including the installation of the new streetlamps, and some concrete curb and sidewalk work.
The road right now is bumpy, but that will be fixed when the new road settles down and can be re-milled and repaved, which will happen in the Spring, according to town officials.
The Project’s Cost
In all, the entire cost of the project was $8.2 million. About $2 million was already in the highway department budget from 2017 for the anticipated road work. A public hearing in December added $812,000 to replace hydrants and transfer water service to the new main.
Another $3.9 million was secured through the state’s Dormitory Authority (called DASNY) to pay for the sewer line by former Senator John H. Flanagan who left the senate in June to take a job with Northwell Health. That, along with expected economic budget tightening in the state due to Covid-19, means that the money allocated by vote and signature, but not yet received by the Town of Smithtown, could be in jeopardy, although Town Supervisor Edward Wehrheim says he believes the money will be there.
“We’re on a wait-and-see right now,” the town supervisor said. “I believe we will get it. It has already gone through the process. Otherwise, we have to lay it out from our fund balances.”
Much of the cost of the water main will be paid through customers of the Smithtown/St. James Water District, according to its superintendent Chris Nustad. The town estimates that cost to be $54 annually per customer for the water main alone.
The town also is betting that the additional businesses that will flock to the Lake Avenue area will also shore up the tax base, easing the cost of the $4 million capital costs.
Overall, the town expects the additional costs of the capital project to cost $18 per average household assessed at $5,500.
Lake Avenue Smithtown’s 8.2 Million Dollar Road Part III Gyrodyne Problem