Kings Park Demolition Contract Approved

ALBANY, NY (03/09/2012)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey today announced that a $6.4 million contract for a demolition project at the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center has been awarded to National Salvage & Service Corporation. Work on the project to demolish 15 abandoned buildings and related structures at the site is expected to begin in mid-May.

"I'm pleased that this spring will bring visible improvements in the safety and security risks at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center site," said Harvey. "Once we get this important first step underway, State Parks looks forward to continuing to work with our partners on the state level and in the community to further revitalize the site."

Funding for the project comes from a $25 million state budget appropriation initiated in 2006 by Senator Flanagan.

"This is great news for the Kings Park community and for all Long Islanders," State Senator John J. Flanagan said. "Governor Cuomo and Commissioner Harvey deserve high praise for their commitment to this project and for working to bring a positive vision for the future of this property," stated Senator Flanagan. "The fact that the accepted bid was significantly lower than originally anticipated is an encouraging sign and I look forward to working with State Parks to use the remaining funds in the most effective and efficient way possible. I am also eager to work with the Parks Administration and the contractor to make sure that the community's way of life is protected during this upcoming process and that every attempt to hire workers from the immediate area will be made."

OPRHP will consult with Senator Flanagan regarding future projects at the Kings Park property, located in Smithtown, Long Island, with the remaining funds.

The project is expected to create approximately 65 jobs, including jobs for local subcontractors in trucking, hazmat removal, security, asphalt and concrete restoration work, rodent control, and surveying. National Salvage & Service Corporation will subcontract 20 percent of the project to minority and women-owned businesses enterprises, including five companies from Long Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.

National Salvage & Service Corporation, headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, has undertaken major demolition projects across the country, and submitted the lowest bid through a competitive bidding process initiated last fall by State Parks.

State Parks has completed an assessment of the project under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. Required air quality monitoring to assure that asbestos is properly managed will be undertaken by Dvirka and Bartilucci Consulting Engineers of Woodbury.

OPRHP has determined that the structures included in this first round of demolition are deteriorated beyond repair and have no realistic potential for reuse. Four of the buildings slated for demolition are located within the 153-acre Nissequogue River State Park, which was established in 2000. The other eleven buildings that will be removed are located on an additional 365 acres of the property that were transferred to the agency in 2006. In addition, a large smokestack and other structures adjacent to the abandoned power plant on the property will be removed. Completion of the project, including site restoration after the buildings have been removed, is expected to take more than one year.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation administers 178 parks and 35 state historic sites. For more information about state parks and historic sites in New York, please visit www.nysparks.com.