Village Board orders title search over Preston Way bridge ownership

Replacement of the Preston Way bridge was originally slated to start in March. (Martin wilbur photo)

By MARTIN WILBUR

Mount Kisco officials approved conducting a title search for the property around the Preston Way bridge in hopes of learning whether the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or the state bear any financial responsibility to replace the span.

The Village Board voted 4-1 at its last meeting Aug. 11 to spend up to $10,000 to determine which entities own the parcels in question to help the village with the cost of the project.

Mayor J. Michael Cindrich said it’s the next step in moving the bridge replacement along, and doesn’t believe village taxpayers should pay for the entire expense.

“I’m not sure what the title search will prove, but it’s something that should have been done, in my opinion, a while back,” Cindrich said. “We have to move ahead on this project and I think this is the beginning of a challenge with the MTA and the state of New York.”

The area that is subject to the title search will be the bridge, and the property from Kisco Avenue to the railroad property, and then from that property east to what had been identified as New York City conservation land that had been granted to Mount Kisco, Cindrich said.

Mount Kisco has been trying to piece together enough money to do the reconstruction work since at least 2018, when it first received a $1.9 million state grant. That was increased to $5 million in 2023, but the last estimate for the project was about $8.6 million.

The village and the MTA have been quarreling over how much money, if any, the MTA should contribute to the work. 

Trustee Tom Luzio dissented in voting against the resolution authorizing the title search, calling it “money that will be wasted.”

“I strongly believe that it’s not going to provide any ammunition to lower our bill,” Luzio said.

While there are still some questions about whether the MTA has any responsibility for the work, in the 1950s Mount Kisco accepted money from the state for ownership of the three bridges over what is now the Metro-North tracks, Luzio said. Other spans over the train tracks are on Main Street and at Lieto Drive.

Replacement of the bridge was originally slated to start with the current construction season in March. Once it starts, Preston Way will be closed for up to a year.