Chappaqua Improvements Begin, Scaled Back

CHAPPAQUA, NY — As the massive infrastructure and streetscape project begins in Chappaqua, New Castle town officials have scaled it back in order to save money. ELQ Industries, Inc. was the lowest responsible bidder. But $14 million was more than the town could afford and would have pushed the budget over the tax cap, the town supervisor said.

"The bids came in higher than we had forecast," said Rob Greenstein in a press release. "A few specific large items that have been proposed have been removed from the overall scope. The overall project will still be beautiful and transformative for the Hamlet."

Cut from the project

• Removed: the improvements to the intersection of Washington Avenue and South Greeley Avenue. Approx. cost savings $370,000
• Removed: the improvements of Marion Place, which was redone not very long ago. Approx. cost savings $210,000.
• Removed: the pergola structure at the base of Lower King. Approx. cost savings $40,000
• Sidewalk extension: instead of several hundred feet past the historic society the new sidewalk will terminate just beyond the historical society: Approx. cost savings: $285,000
• Sidewalk extension: instead of extending the sidewalks from Maple Avenue to Bischoff Avenue the new sidewalk will terminate just beyond the post office: Approx. cost savings: $222,000
• Concrete Tinting. Cost savings: $412,000
• Street furniture and plaques that can be bought outside the construction contract at lower cost.

Still in the project

All the major and cornerstone elements remain including: Wider sidewalks with brick accents and granite curbing, trees, street lamps, new clock, full ADA compliance, a traffic light at the intersection of King and Greeley, new plaza at King and Greeley, crosswalks and traffic and parking improvements. And of course new and upgraded sanitary sewer, storm water and water mains.

"Many residents are focusing on the aesthetics of the project, but it important to recognize that the genesis of this project is for infrastructure replacement," Greenstein said. "Our nearly century old water mains are years beyond their design life of 75 years. Sewer mains, installed over 50 years ago, are corroding from the outside in from sitting in acidic and unstable soil. This shift in the position of the main and manholes has contributed to the spike in sewer blockages which wreak havoc on our downtown businesses. This is evidenced by the pricing of the project — approximately two-thirds of the cost and over a hundred pages of plans are dedicated to the piping under the ground."

Town officials warn that disruption is inevitable and promise they will work to minimize the inconvenience. To help with that, the construction management firm will be located in downtown Chappaqua — in the former EZ Sports space.

Con Ed has already started replacing aging gas mains, starting at the intersection of Maple Avenue and North Greeley Avenue and continuing through to King Street. No parking overnight during the construction in those areas: displaced residents can use the municipal lot across from Susan Lawrence.

Go to www.DowntownStrong.com to find out more and sign up for project updates.