Bidding Process Begins for Little Bay Park Comfort Station, Avella Says

The city's Department of Parks and Recreation has begun the bidding process for the construction of a comfort station at Little Bay Park for which , state Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, said.

The agency will pick and vet the winning bidder and construction is expected to begin by the end of the year, the senator said.

"After years of bureaucratic delays, I am pleased that this project is finally moving forward," Avella said. "It is a real shame that a great park like Little Bay Park, which has what I consider the best dog run in the entire city, does not have a comfort station. I am hopeful that we are one step closer to finally getting the comfort station that residents and park users deserve."

The senator secured $1 million for the project four years ago when he was a member of the City Council. U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-Bayside, also brought in funding for the project, which also involved expanding a parking lot at the park.

The and Avella held a press conference last year during which they .

"I'm glad the bidding process is moving along," said Warren Schreiber, president of the alliance. "But we'd like to see a copy of the RFP (request for proposal) that they are bidding out. We've been pushing for quite a while for a comfort station with amenities that are sorely needed at Little Bay Park."

Currently, the site has Porta Potties that Schreiber described as "terrible."

"We've been worried that people would relieve themselves on the grass there or on private property," he said.

The enclosed comfort station will include bathrooms for men and women as well as a water fountain.