Building For Yorktown's Future: Senator Murphy's $375,000 Grant Sets New Highway Department Garage Project And Downtown Revitalization In Motion

YORKTOWN, NY - When Senator Terrence Murphy's handed Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace a ceremonial check for $375,000, it marked the culmination of years of planning for the construction for a new highway department garage on Greenwood Street.

"We have made tremendous progress since we started planning for this project when I was a Councilman. I am here today to present Supervisor Grace with a check for $375,000 for a new garage. Now the highway department will have their offices and vital equipment under one roof," said Senator Murphy. "With the building of a new garage and an investment in the downtown area, we are establishing a rock solid footprint. This project will help revitalize the downtown area and pave the way for new businesses to take root."

Viewing the artist's renderings of the proposed Depot Square, Yorktown Town Supervisor Michael Grace said, "We have had a plan to revitalize downtown Yorktown for a while. This grant is for the bricks and mortar for the new building. We are also looking into a pre-fabricated building to help lower the cost of construction. Even though this project is off the ground now we have to keep planning for the future. We do not want empty buildings in town. But we needed a wow factor to attract new business and this project is it."

Yorktown Councilman Ed Lachterman added, "I pass by the old garage every day. Dave Paganelli and his crew have done a wonderful job keeping up with it, but it is still a 60-year-old building in need of replacement. The start of the relocation project and the planning Depot Square is encouraging. It will be great for the town's economy to have areas where people can walk and shop."

The main thrust of the revitalization plan centers on the construction of the new highway garage. The Parks Department is also proposing a new office at the site. The project, dubbed "Depot Square," encompasses the demolition of the old highway department garage on Front Street and Underhill Avenue. That land will be utilized for the construction of commercial, residential and recreational properties that will spur investment, improve the aesthetic quality of the downtown area and create jobs.

"We started the project by demolishing the Rome Building," noted Yorktown Councilman Tom Diana. "There was an unsightly hole there for a while, but we are making progress. We are in the process of paving. We now have the capability to have a walk able area in Yorktown, and this is what we are going to continue to do. We are going to make Yorktown more of an enjoyable place to live."

Yorktown Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli said, "I am very grateful to Senator Murphy for this grant that will facilitate the creation of a new highway garage, while relieving any costs incurred by our residents. I would also like to thank Senator Murphy for his work on behalf of the town. The $87,000 he got us in PAVE New York money went a long way in helping us maintain our infrastructure."