Governor George Pataki came in person, to Jakobson Shipyard, Saturday, Sept. 12, to report that the state will provide $2.3 million for development of the Oyster Bay Western Waterfront Project. As he left, Caroline DuBois presented NYS Governor George Pataki with the shedded shell of a one-year-old Horseshoe crab. It was symbolic of the marine education center that will be the heart of the new harbor park.

While it was good news to hear that the project is closer to its goal, with funding in place for the demolition and removal of the Jakobson buildings, even more exciting was seeing the new plan for the waterfront.

Cameron Associates did the rendering which shows what the marine education center could look like, said Mike Deering, executive director of Friends of the Bay. "It's a visual to give people an idea of what the waterfront could look like. In the rendering, the building in front is modeled after the Seawanhaka Yacht Club. All attempts are being made to keep it in the aesthetics of Oyster Bay: maintaining the maritime and architectural aspects of Oyster Bay," he said.

The picture shows the center of Beekman Beach further west as a new wetland area to filter the Mill Pond Creek borders the west of Jakobson's. The Capone property has another meandering stream to further filter water going into the harbor. There are numerous parking areas, docks and in the foreground, a projected tall ship.

The plan includes: demolition of six buildings north of West End Avenue; removal of the dry dock; access via an extension of West End Avenue; restoration of pier, bulkheads and utilities; construction of the state launch ramp for small boats; an off-loading area for baymen; town boat launch parking safety improvements; wetlands creation as mentioned; renovation of three Jakobson buildings for the DEC, US FWS, OB Sailing School, Sagamore Rowing Association, the Christeen Restoration and the Maritime Museum; a new 15,000 sq. ft. Community/Environmental Education Center with indoor and outdoor displays and aquaculture activities; paths, benches, overlooks; a 2,500 sq. ft. building near the boat launching ramps, for the Bay Constable and the Atlantic Steamer Fire Co. Dive and Rescue operations; finger piers; tall ship dockage; Beekman Beach restrooms, picnic shelters, overlook, reduced paved area and increased natural vegetation and wetlands.

It was a day for speeches. Governor George Pataki was introduced by NYS Senator Carl Marcellino as credit was given and taken by town, state and federal government for their collaboration on the project - always using the public's input as their guide.

"More than 70 years ago, Teddy Roosevelt proposed this area as a shoreline park," said the governor. "Today, we are making TR's vision for increased access to and understanding of Oyster Bay and Long Island Sound a reality. These funds will begin to transform this once polluted shipyard (a superfund site) into a place where family and friends can gather to enjoy the natural splendor of Oyster Bay."

To date, the Western Waterfront project has received $600,000 in federal funds from the DEC to construct a boat ramp and launching area for small boats; the DEC has committed another $60,000 to renovate the existing Oyster Bay Sailing School building for a local office; in March the state provided $5 million for the purchase of Jakobson's; the Town of Oyster Bay provided $1 million toward that purchase; the town recently received an EPA grant of $25,000 for a study to clean up the Mill Pond.

The state and the town provided $91,000 for the development of the conceptual land use plan: the cost of the western waterfront joint state/town effort.

The $2.3 million will be used to fund the demolition and removal of on-shore and off-shore shipyard-related facilities, such as buildings, the railways and dilapidated piers and for landscaping the site.

The entire plan will cost somewhere between $12 and $13 million to complete.

The project, in the words of Mike Deering, had to do four things: stop the proposed developments for the site; clean up the "hazardous waste site;" the town and state had to work together to purchase the property; a plan for the waterfront had to meet the hopes and desires of Oyster Bay residents.

"Together we met every challenge, and today is proof positive that we have successfully negotiated the conflicts between a healthy environment and a sustainable economy." He stressed the unique partnership with government which made the project possible including the non-partisan nature of the enterprise.

"Now it is time to begin the 'fun part.'

"I congratulate all of you who are helping to recapture our waterfront."