Town Condemns Hicksville Lot; First Step To Purchasing It

HICKSVILLE, NY — The Town of Oyster Bay voted last month to condemn a parking lot in Hicksville that is used for parking for LIRR commuters — the first step to the town seizing the property through eminent domain.

At its meeting on Nov. 16, the town Board of Trustees voted to condemn the property on Barclay Street, directly across from the Hicksville train station. The property is currently used as parking for the train station, and the town hopes that by condemning it and possibly seizing it through eminent domain, it can keep it that way.

The lot is currently being maintained by the town as a parking lot. However, the town documents say that the town leases the property through a month-to-month rental agreement, which could be ended at any time. The town hopes that by condemning, and then buying, the property, it can keep it as much-needed parking.

According to the town, the MTA decided not to build a parking structure in Hicksville, which already has a shortage of spaces for LIRR riders. And as the LIRR's Third Track project completes, ridership is expected to increase.

Officials did not say at the meeting how much they would purchase the property for, because they didn't want to negotiate against themselves. Newsday reported that a town spokesman later said the town expects to pay about $800,000.