Khurram Saeed

ksaeed@lohud.com

SOUTH NYACK – Officials are finding it tough to agree on places in the village where people can easily and safety connect to the walking and bike path that will part of the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

Although the path won't open until 2018, the race is on to find a site where people can park in the mostly residential village, along with the best place to access the shared path. Village and Tappan Zee representatives have been working together for months and are exploring a handful of options.

"It's almost like being in the terrible position of, What has the least bad impact?" said Connie Coker, a member of the task force that South Nyack created to address local concerns about the $3.9 billion project.

South Nyack Mayor Bonnie Christian has asked the project team to provide an update on their work to the community later this month

In March, village officials proposed putting in 22 parking spaces and restrooms at the current Village Hall on South Broadway. From there, it would be a short walk to the entrance to the path at the corner of Cornelison Avenue. The ideas were roundly rejected.

There's still interest in developing nearby Exit 10 on the Thruway, using land behind Village Hall though separated by a highway access ramp for parking, or even having the path end on River Road where the bridge meets land. Each option has its drawbacks, those involved acknowledge.

The village's Tappan Zee task force is planning on adding two members in the coming months. Other than being South Nyack residents, the criteria has not been set.

Cliff Weathers, a member of a new grassroots group called the Tappan Zee Gateway Alliance, said finding parking to accommodate at least 60 cars was the key to avoid drivers trolling village streets looking for a spot.

"If you just add sufficient parking, this is something that can be solved," the South Nyack man said.

Weathers reiterated the group does not oppose the path — or is convinced Exit 10 is the answer — but said having its terminus at the corner of South Broadway and Cornelison was the "worst possible place" because it's across from the entrance to the Thruway in a neighborhood full of kids.

Last month, state consultants began a study to estimate how many people will use the path on the 3-mile bridge. It will terminate on Thruway land in Tarrytown, offering cyclists, walkers and joggers about 135 parking spaces, restrooms and a small cafe.

Brian Conybeare, the governor's special project adviser, said in an email they were still working on the parking demand study and "gathering public input to identify and assess several potential locations for parking and restroom facilities."

In a related development, the village is waiting for the county's purchasing department to finalize language on its proposal request to developers for tax-generating commercial options at Exit 10. Village trustees will send it out for bid after they approve it. The project team is funding the $250,000 study.

Twitter: @ksaeed1