Hoping to capitalize on the $787 billion economic stimulus package signed by President Obama on Tuesday, Southampton Town Supervisor Linda Kabot drafted a letter last week to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer outlining a list of “shovel ready” projects that various town department heads would like to have funded by the federal government.
Perhaps the most important project is an estimated $1 million reconstruction of Dune Road in Hampton Bays and East Quogue. Dune Road is a critically important barrier beach road with significant scenic qualities that are an integral part of the town’s tourism industry and second-home economy, according to Ms. Kabot’s letter. The town estimates it would take a year to complete and would result in the employment of eight to 10 people.
One of the more costly projects is the Jackson Avenue municipal complex, which would house various town departments and would utilize sustainable energy design principles such as wind turbines and photovoltaic panels. The intent behind the state-of-the-art alternative energy sources for the center is to become “an educational model for green technology” with a “net zero carbon footprint.”
At a cost of $20 million, town officials estimate the project would create 18 to 24 jobs for two to four years.
The Southampton Aquatic Recreation Center, or SHARC, is another project the town estimates to run near $20 million that would also employ between 18 and 24 people for two to three years. The SHARC project is an intergenerational facility for seniors and youth, with an indoor pool and fitness center and other recreational amenities. Though located in Westhampton, town officials in the Department of Land Management expect the complex to attract visitors from the entire town, as well as from portions of Brookhaven, Riverhead, and Southold, since there is no indoor pool in that area.
The town has already spent nearly $6 million on SHARC, including $3.4 million to purchase the property, and if funding is provided, the project could enter the design phase by mid-year, with construction beginning in 2010.
Another big ticket item the town is seeking federal aid to complete is townwide drainage improvements at a cost of $9.9 million. The town’s stormwater office has identified 16 high-priority locations in need of drainage enhancements. Work could begin within three months of funding, and it is estimated that the project would create 12 private sector jobs for a period of 18 months to two years.
To address the condition of its roads, the town is seeking $5 million in stimulus money. An important feature of this project, stated in the letter to Sen. Schumer, is the installation of new drainage infrastructure along roads to reduce the impact of runoff on town waterways. This work will employ 12 design and construction personnel for one year, the town’s letter says.
An Emergency Vehicle Preemption System, which utilizes technology to set traffic signals to allow for the safe travel of oncoming emergency vehicles, is estimated to cost around $525,000.
Southampton Town is also seeking $500,000 for the reconstruction of the bridge on Bridge Lane in Bridgehampton, $400,000 for traffic calming improvements on Noyac Road in Noyac, near the intersection of Elm Street, and another $150,000 for the construction of an Inlet Road access road, which would allow residents living off County Road 39 the ability to safely get into the neighborhood without crossing the merge point of County Road 39 and Sunrise Highway.
The town is also looking to replace existing streetlight fixtures and traffic signals with dark-sky compliant and more energy efficient ones at a cost of $1 million. This project would employ a crew of five for one year, town officials say.
Brian Bossetta on Feb 25, 2009