Mineola Mayor Jack Martins met with the board of directors, management staff and residents of the Garden Plaza Cooperatives on Wednesday, Oct. 29 in village hall to discuss two key issues regarding the Mineola LIRR Grade Crossing Elimination Project.

Also in attendance were Nassau County Legislator Richard J. Nicolello, Village Attorney John Spellman, Deputy Mayor Larry Werther, Village Trustee Linda Fairgrieve, representatives for Senator Michael Balboni, Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell, Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli and the attorney for Garden Plaza's board of directors, Bruce Migatz of Albanese and Albanese.

The first issue centered on the need for a traffic light at the entrance of the complex on Roslyn Road. Residents expressed concern about the difficulty walking across Roslyn Road and driving out of the complex without a light once the LIRR gate is gone.

Previous requests for a traffic light had been declined by the Nassau County Department of Public Works. Mayor Martins told residents that if the County Department of Public Works would approve the traffic light, the Department of Transportation (DOT) would pay for it but the county must commit to the maintenance.

Mayor Martins, Legislator Nicolello and the Garden Plaza's board of directors will invite Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi to visit the intersection and assess the situation firsthand.

The second issue focused on DOT plans to relocate Garden Plaza's emergency exit from Roslyn Road to Old County Road rather than Albertson Place. The residents voiced their concerns that egressing onto Old Country Road, a busy and highly traveled main thoroughfare during an emergency, will create a very dangerous situation and compromise their security.

In discussions with the DOT, Mayor Martins expressed his concern at "pitting" Garden City Plaza residents against Albertson Place residents and expressed concern for additional traffic on Albertson Place.

In communications with the DOT proposed an alternate plan whereby the emergency exit would remain in its current location with access onto Roslyn Road, running parallel to Building #2 of the complex.

Garden Plaza residents were receptive to this alternate plan but were concerned about actual layout, esthetics and proximity to Building #2. Mayor Martins told residents he would furnish the board of directors with an artist's rendition when it became available at which time further discussions would take place.

Other issues discussed included the architectural design of the LIRR bridge, minimal grading of the LIRR tracks, the addition of 75 parking spaces at the location of Allied, the removal of Abeles Wholesalers and the construction of a water collection basin in its place.

The project is expected to start late summer or early fall 2004.