According to East Hills Mayor Michael R. Koblenz, the "first phase of the Park at East Hills is well under way."

The park project, which received approval in a referendum held in October 2003, will have its official "Groundbreaking Day" on Sunday, Sept. 19 on village hall grounds.

Village officials add that the results of years of detailed planning and preparation will soon be realized when the military base is transformed. Public bids for demolition and asbestos removal were advertised over the past few weeks and bid documents are now being widely distributed. Over the next few months, 19 buildings will be removed in order to make way for the large modern outdoor swimming pool, sports fields, tennis courts, children's playgrounds, a senior lounge, and many other facilities.

"Within weeks we will see buildings being dismantled and military barracks being demolished," Mayor Koblenz said. "We'll have tangible progress you can see as you pass by the 50+ acre site."

All bids for the demolition and asbestos removal must be submitted by July 14. While the present bids are being received, other bid documents are being prepared by the Administration for the next phase of development.

"The first set of bid documents with the requirements, conditions, and drawings exceeded 250 pages in length" the mayor added. "We're working to put the finishing touches on the next round of documents for grading and construction of the facilities."

The entire project is expected to take just over two years to complete.

The first order of business after the October 8, 2003 referendum was to gain financing and lock-in low rates. On December 18, 2003, at a public bid, Citigroup funded the project and the Village received an average rate of only 4.25 percent for the public improvement serial bonds. The rate was obtained because East Hills maintains one of the highest Moody's ratings for any village its size (Aa3).

The Oct. 8 referendum was approved with 77 percent of local residents voting in favor of a new park. The vote total represented the highest "positive vote" in village history.

Mayor Koblenz invited all East Hills residents to Groundbreaking Day.

"By that time we will be well on our way to creating the new sports and recreational haven for our championship community," he said.

The East Hills Village Hall is located at 209 Harbor Hill Rd.