Construction a Hot Topic in Port Washington North

At the Village of Port Washington North's meeting on Monday night, the Board of Trustees and Mayor Robert S. Weitzner centered on the prospective reconstruction of Soundview Marketplace, located on Shore Road in Port Washington. Representatives from Soundview along with community leaders were in attendance.

"We want to demolish the existing building and construct a building closer to Shore Road in the current parking lot," said David Leno, the lawyer representing the owners of Soundview Marketplace from Armstrong Capital.

The marketplace includes stores such as King Kullen Supermarket, Rite Aid Pharmacy, Clearview Cinemas and The Children's Place.

Leno said the construction project needs to be done for aesthetic and marketing reasons. He presented the plans for the construction to the board during the meeting. "This move is logical," he said. "We're not increasing the size because the site is sufficient now. The construction will not create any impact on the community. We're looking to improve it. We're trying to make it more marketable."

The lawyer added that there "will be no issue with parking," as the new plans for the Soundview Marketplace has surpassed the allotted number of necessary parking spots, according to the village code. The current construction plans also include adding 26 additional parking spots in an area where the fire lane currently is.

Thomas P. McDonough, chief of the Port Washington Fire Department, sees these parking spots as a "safety problem."

"I want these spots eliminated," McDonough said. "If there's a fire and those spots are there we're going to have to worry about the cars and the people running away from the emergency. If those spots are there where is my truck going to go?"

The village trustees were outspoken about the aesthetically unpleasant look of the marketplace as it stands now. They included thoughts on how to keep the center clean, adding more lighting structures, and abiding to provisions the village has laid out. "It is a matter of it looking dated," Mayor Weitzner said. "You need to make a commitment to make it look attractive."

Village Engineer Jim Antonelli also brought up the issue of drainage in the shopping center. The owners agreed, in conjunction with the board, to add dry wells to the plans that should improve drainage in the marketplace.

Weitzner said that the board has kept its word in keeping the area around Soundview Marketplace clean and aesthetically presentable for the community, however, he said he feels the owners of marketplace have done little to keep their side of the bargain. "All we've asked you to do is keep the property clean and the residents happy," the mayor said. "If you build something majestic and don't understand it, then it'll become garbage. We have done everything we promised. We want to work with you, but we're a little concerned."

The plans for the reconstruction of the Soundview Marketplace remain at a standstill due to the many safety concerns brought up at the meeting. The board also determined that in order for the plans to be approved and succeed, mutual understanding and results from both parties must exist.

Mayor Weitzner concluded the hearing by saying, "We're not looking to hurt you, we're looking to help you."