Long Island Rail Road Dedicates Parking Facility at Wyandanch Station
MTA Long Island Rail Road President Patrick A. Nowakowski was joined Aug. 13 by state and local officials at the ribbon-cutting for the newly completed 920-space Wyandanch Parking Facility located at the LIRR’s Wyandanch train station adjacent to the Wyandanch Rising residential community, one of Long Island’s most transformative transit-oriented developments.
Parking at the five-story garage is currently free during the month of August. Beginning Sept. 1, when the facility officially opens, the following fee structure will take effect: $3.00 for short-term parking up to six hours; $5.00 for daily parking up to 20 hours; $10 for 24-hour parking up to 10-day maximum; and a $70 monthly parking permit which offers customers a 35 percent discount to the daily fee. The new parking facility has been designed to allow future expansion for up to 1,500 vehicles.
“At the MTA and LIRR we are proud to be part of a collaborative effort that is making Wyandanch Rising a reality and providing a major boost to the overall economic welfare of this community,” said Nowakowski. “We urge LIRR customers who currently park at Wyandanch Station and others who might be interested in using this spacious and secure parking facility to come give it a try for free and then perhaps sign up for our discounted monthly parking pass.”
The Wyandanch Parking Facility was built by the LIRR at a cost of $29 million, funded through the 2010-2014 MTA Capital Program with most of the money provided by the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA). It was designed to complement the town of Babylon’s Wyandanch Rising initiative, a $500-million transit-oriented development which seeks to transform one of the most economically distressed areas on Long Island using mixed-use development as the cornerstone for that change. This public-private venture between the town and the Albanese Organization, just a short walk from the train station, is already welcoming residential and retail tenants while it nears completion of a second section that will bring the total to 177 apartments and 37,500 square feet of retail, restaurant and gallery space.
Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone said, “Today is a great day as we celebrate yet another milestone in the Wyandanch Rising Project. The construction of the MTA LIRR Wyandanch Parking Facility compliments the Wyandanch Village residential development and serves as a model for the required collaboration of transit-oriented developments. I am happy to celebrate nationally acclaimed artist Moe Brooker who designed the painted glass artwork in the garage, Parson Brinkerhoff for the design of the garage, Jeff Speck for the design of the tower which beautifully displays and complements the art work, Torti Gallas and Partners Inc. and the MTA/LIRR for their willingness to partner on this economic development initiative.”
Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer (D-Babylon) said, “The new Wyandanch Parking Facility provides commuters and travelers with a safe and convenient place to park while using the LIRR. I thank all involved for collaborating on this effort and for their hard work in making this project a reality.”
State Senator Phil Boyle (R-Bay Shore) said, “I would like to commend the MTA LIRR and the Town of Babylon for taking bold and innovative steps to create a transportation hub that is not only trending societal needs for mass transit but including the additional parking for a diverse and growing commuter population in Wyandanch and the surrounding communities.”
State Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Lindenhurst) said, “The Wyandanch Parking Facility is a collaborative effort on all levels of government which will benefit the residents and commuters. I thank all the stakeholders for their continuing commitment to Wyandanch and Suffolk County.”
The cooperation began with an agreement between the LIRR and the Town to swap parcels of land. The railroad received a 2.16 acre, town-owned parcel now the site of the new parking facility. The Town, in turn, received a 1.49 acre parcel owned by the LIRR that has been incorporated into the mixed-use development. The LIRR has also ceded the current site of its Wyandanch Station building to the Town, which in turn is paying for the design and construction of a new station building to be located just east of the current building with construction scheduled to get under way next year.
“The LIRR has been working with the Town of Babylon, Suffolk County and other stakeholders on the Wyandanch Rising initiative since 2010,” said Nowakowski. “We certainly believe that this collaboration can serve as a model for other TOD projects throughout Long Island.”
MTA Arts & Design
Among the unique features of the Wyandanch Parking Facility is the colorful painted-glass panels designed by the abstract expressionist Moe Brooker titled “Just Jazz,” which rises five stories high, bathing the interior entrance in bold colors during the day and offering an impressive view when illuminated from within at night. The work was commissioned by MTA Arts & Design and is Brooker’s first public art project.
Wyandanch Parking Facility Managed by Allpro Parking
In May, the MTA Board approved a $14.8 million five-year, personal services contract with Allpro Parking of Buffalo, N.Y. to manage and operate the LIRR parking facilities at Wyandanch, Ronkonkoma and Mineola. Allpro was selected from among five companies that offered proposals for operating the three parking facilities. Allpro Parking CEO Rick Serra said: “We will continue to offer convenient parking and Allpro’s characteristic quality service to patrons with the LIRR-owned garages. We appreciate the Long Island Rail Road’s confidence in the Allpro brand, superior customer service and dedicated management.”
