Babylon announces park project cost savings

Town of Babylon officials have approved several expenditure changes for its planned redevelopment of Geiger Lake Park, saving more than half a million dollars.

The park, which sits on the Wyandanch-Deer Park border, is being overhauled as part of Wyandanch Rising, the town's $500-million public-private initiative to revitalize downtown Wyandanch. Town officials said the new park will have playgrounds and a spray park, new basketball courts, a carousel, a conservatory and a botanical garden.

Town spokesman Tim Ruggeri said costs for work from the following companies increased by $184,000: Advanced Conservation Systems of Lindenhurst; Eldor Contracting of Holtsville; Sidney B. Bowne & Son of Mineola, and Keller Sandgren Associates Design Services of Amityville.

However, cost estimates from Stalco Construction of Islandia and Norberto Construction of Medford decreased by $957,000. The net result is an overall decrease of $773,000.

In addition, the town signed a separate consulting contract for Geiger Park with Bowne & Son for $158,000. The town has also entered into an agreement with Suffolk County for sewer infrastructure at the park in which the county will supply $250,000 in grants, with the town matching the funds. The town also has approved the allocation of $200,000 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant funds toward the park's infrastructure.

The entire park redevelopment is expected to cost $11 million. In May the town received $4.1 million for park improvements from HUD. That month the town brought to market $5 million in bonds earmarked for the park, and in August it approved another $2 million in bonds for the redevelopment.

The town also recently approved additional funds for Wyandanch Rising, including: $30,000 more for the rail station and transit plaza; $51,000 toward a new Head Start building; $84,000 in consulting contracts, and $339,000 for the sewer extension to the town ash fill.