West Playground restroom construction enters 11th year
The plan was announced in April 2015. It is currently in the construction phase, with multiple schedule delays.
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It's been 11 years since plans were announced to bring a public bathroom to West Playground in Gravesend.
Half of the playground is currently lined with fences and posters that say “work in progress,” but many neighbors say they haven't seen any.
"I don’t feel like there’s been any progress," Gravesend resident Anthony Short said. "I haven ’t seen construction or anything. I just see the thing blocked off.”
Neighbor Aman Habie describes what he has seen over the past couple of years.
“They are very lazy," Habie said. "One day working, one week not working. Two days working, two weeks not working."
The design phase began in April 2015 and took five years to complete, finishing in April 2020. It then took another two years to choose and register contractors.
According to the work permits at the site, “Iridium Construction Corp,” “APS Electric Inc.” and “NCA Plumbing & Heating LLC” were all selected for the project. It is currently in the construction phase, which started in October 2023.
The parks department projected completion for last April, but that date has since been changed on the Parks Department website to June 2026.
Meanwhile, the sign at the construction site says anticipated completion is scheduled for "Spring 2027."
News 12 tried calling all three contractors, but no one picked up.
News 12 also reached out to the mayor’s office and the Parks Department and is waiting to hear back.
The only acknowledgement of the delays is on the Parks website, which reads “Due to COVID-related impacts, this project may have experienced schedule delays.”
