Residents in the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire District will be voting Oct. 10 on whether or not to bond $10 million to build a new ambulance unit in Lake Success.
The district is proposing to build a two-story, 10,336-square-foot building on district-owned property at 70 Cumberland Ave. to relocate the 40-person ambulance unit, which has shared space with the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Company No. 3 in Great Neck since 1988.
The anticipated total cost of the project is $11.7 million, according to the district.
Residents in the surrounding area have objected to the proposal and raised concerns about the vote dating back as early as May when the district held a public meeting. Residents objected at the time to the lack of a traffic study, potential safety issues and community engagement from the district.
The original vote in June was delayed following the May public meeting until a traffic study was completed in August, where Woodbury-based Cameron Engineering determined a new ambulance unit would have “zero impact to local traffic” if built.
The Manhasset-Lakeville Fire District serves approximately 45,000 customers within a service area of 10.2 square miles. The district takes in all of Manhasset except for Plandome, half of Great Neck and some of North New Hyde Park.
If approved, the project would be tax-neutral to residents and the district has and will continue to stay below the 2% state-mandated tax cap, officials said.
Anticipated hard costs of the project, which account for the physical materials, labor and equipment that go into the construction of the building, is $9,590,544. Soft costs for the project, which may include consulting fees, interior equipment or furniture, amount to $2,115,500.
A state grant of $1 million was secured by state Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti (D-Port Washington) in 2022 and goes toward the approximate $3.5 million that has already been allotted for the project in reserve funds, officials said in May.
Officials said the bond will help pay for the proposal alongside a state grant and reserve funds. The district said the last rate it received for a 20-year bond was 3.75% and that the anticipated cost for the financial adviser to obtain the bond would be $30,000.
The district said in a release what was supposed to be a temporary solution 35 years ago to share space with Company No. 3 is no longer “safe, functional or efficient” and that previous locations have been explored for over a decade.
In a letter to Blank Slate Media, residents in the area listed many concerns with the proposal, which include quality of life, traffic and safety issues.
“We urgently implore the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department to reconsider the ill-conceived project on Cumberland Avenue and to seek better-suited locations that prioritize the well-being and concerns of the residents,” the letter said.
District officials clarified concerns presented specifically in the letter and in a statement said some community members are spreading misinformation.
“We have done our due diligence to answer all questions presented to us with the most updated information available in a professional matter. We have tried to address everyone’s questions, concerns, and criticisms with respect, and have been open with our community about the process,” Commissioners Steven Flynn, Brian Morris and Mark Sauvinge said in a statement. “Unfortunately, there are some community members who are spreading misinformation. For all facts about the project, we encourage residents to visit the district’s website, www.mlfd.com.”
The previous 14 locations the district said they evaluated were deemed not feasible due to not having enough space to build, the property being taken off the market or sold, the land being unavailable for use or site issues, among other things.
Officials said safety concerns throughout the surrounding area, specifically a nearly 90-degree turn with no stop sign residents have repeatedly brought up, are under the town of North Hempstead and that town officials have had the safety issues reported to them by the district.
In 2022, the ambulance unit was dispatched to 1,230 calls, according to the district.
Current issues with sharing a space with Company No. 3 include double stacking vehicles in the department’s bay, inadequate space for vehicles and first responders to move around the apparatus floor during emergencies, limited office space and bunk space for first responders doing an overnight shift, the district said in May and on social media.
During overnight calls, ambulances would not use their sirens until leaving the area unless there is traffic near the driveway to minimize noise impacts, the traffic study said.
District voting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 10, from noon to 9 p.m. Voting will be held at the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Companies No. 1 at 35 Bayview Ave. in Manhasset, No. 3 at 25 Prospect St. in Thomaston, No. 4 at 97 Jayson Ave. in Great Neck and No. 5 at 27 78th Ave. in New Hyde Park.
