Park on Shelter Haven Basin Debated in Stone Harbor

STONE HARBOR — Borough Council heard Planning Board member Julian Miraglia describe a proposed land purchase that would create a waterfront park and bay walk on Shelter Haven.
The unveiling of the idea was made at council’s Tue., Nov. 16 meeting. It seemed to hatch the latest debate among residents. The Chamber of Commerce had circulated news of the proposal via e-mail.
Miraglia noted the borough’s master plan, “In which there are several references to access to the bay front and a water park.” He was one of four who drafted the proposal; the others were Tim Noble, Councilman Thomas Cope, Robert Ashman and Councilwoman Joann Vaul. He, along with Rev. Wayne Conrad and Ashman were a subcommittee tasked with making an analysis of the proposal.
They sought out properties that existed on Shelter Haven Basin, and weighed advantages and disadvantages, Miraglia said. That study “discovered” 14-15 properties with potential, but only one of them for sale at this time.
A criterion for consideration was visibility, accommodation of the public, manageability and location. For visibility, he said, consideration was made from the “O’Hara property,” to the “Worthington property.” The site had to be visible from 96th Street south and 98th Street north.
Central to thinking, Miraglia said, was “To give views of the sunsets in the center of town. It reminds me of Key West (Fla.) at sunset. It’s one heck of a place to be.”
“These are dreams, not plans,” Miraglia stressed. “There is nothing fixed about this. And no, I don’t want to operate a water taxi business,” he said.
Lots 131 and 132 would afford a 60-feet wide park. It would be located south of Piece of Pizza, he said.
Miraglia had also researched how much the borough’s taxpayers paid into the county’s Open Space fund since 1990. That year, $90,000 was sent to the fund. This year, $463,000 was sent, he said. Thus, he estimated, about $5 million had been paid into the Open Space fund, for which borough taxpayers had received nothing in return.
That may change, however, since borough officials plan to attend the county Open Space meting Nov. 23 to detail the concept to the panel. It would take about two weeks from then to “see if we qualify,” said Councilwoman Joan Kramar.
Mayor Suzanne Walters said she spoke to Barbara Ernst, director of the Open Space program, and was told the borough idea would be discussed, with them, in a closed session at that meeting.
“It would be a reimbursement type thing,” said Walters. “We would buy it first. There are appraisals needed, that would have to be done first,” she added.
Walters estimated it might be 18 months to two years before the borough would be reimbursed for the purchase, which would, if approved, be made by bond anticipation notes.
Councilman Randall Bauer said council had “a relationship” with Dr. John Sprandio, owners of the former Shelter Haven lot at 96th Street and Third Avenue, which the borough had leased for a small sum as a summer park. He added the purchase of other ground “should not be hastily addressed when the possibility of very positive feelers could go out to Dr. Sprandio to see what his feelings are about his lot.”
“I certainly would not want us to close that possibility,” Bauer said.
“I don’t disagree,” said Miraglia. Using valuation of $30,000 per lineal foot as an estimate, Sprandio’s land could fetch $4.5 to $5 million, he added. Miraglia questioned taking “the most valuable piece of real estate off the tax rolls.”
“It’s one of our largest taxable lots,” Kramar added. “Certainly, we tried to look at every aspect without making a hasty decision,” she added.
“If we had a good working relationship with Dr. Sprandio, that lot would have been built by now…We cannot count on Dr. Sprandio to do anything,” Kramar added.
Realty Owners Association President Sandy Slabik, told council the organization had issued an e-mail “blast” about the proposal, and had received five responses, all of which were positive. She cautioned, however, that she “could not represent the membership with such a short period of time.”
Patty DeMarco, a real estate agent, objected to Miraglia’s giving the impression only one property on the basin was for sale to be considered for the project.
“I don’t think we have only one opportunity to buy the property. That was the impression given,” said DeMarco. She also disagreed that the waterfront park should be a top borough capital priority. That, she said, should be outfall pipe removal and rebuilding of infrastructure.”
Kramar responded that the borough had received “two letters from owners that want to sell.”
Neither of them was solicited, said the mayor.
Josee Rich said, “I do not mind by husband’s business or my family’s business, maybe you have not see the for sale sign on Mr. Deneka’s property.”
Merchant Larry Hanker told council, “I have concerns about this idea. First, we seem to be taking a very valuable piece of commercial property, it is a home in the business district, and taking it off the market, and we would be losing a very valuable ratable that the property produces.”
“Second, I’m a little concerned because a couple of years ago, when we were discussing the ordinance to establish this (waterfront business district) one of the cornerstones of that idea was to try to entice some nice restaurants into the area. They could have bay front dining. I really hope you weigh the possibility of that happening,” Hanker said.
Still another resident said her major concern was removal of ocean outfall pipes and a new library. “This project has been sitting for five years. Do any of you use the library? It’s broom closet. I’m embarrassed with summer tourists are there, and nobody is putting emphasis on it.”
Walters said the library would be discussed later in the meeting during closed session.