Official Day Labor Site In the Works for Mamaroneck: Fayette Avenue Shelter Would Replace Columbus Park

by Harold Wolfson and Judy Silberstein

(June 16, 2004) Mamaroneck Village Mayor Philip J. Trifiletti announced that the board is in the process of designating a parcel of village-owned property on Fayette Avenue as an official day laborer site to replace Columbus Park, which has been used as an unofficial site for generations.

Day laborers who congregate in Columbus Park may soon have a new spot and shelter on Fayette Avenue.

He made the announcement on Tuesday, June 8 at an LMC-TV program about day laborers, but the decision has been a result of 18 months of planning and discussion with the Hispanic Resource Center. The Center has been advocating for a site that is safer for workers and less of an intrusion for local residents.

“This is a win/win situation for both the Village and the day laborers,” the mayor said. He added that the plan still required approval by the board, but he expects that to be forthcoming.

According to Village Manager Lenny Verrastro, Hispanic Resource Center Director Harold Lasso will appear at the June 28 board work session to present details of the project. Volunteers have already come forward to help with design, materials and labor.

The workers are not expected to move until late in the summer. If the board approves, the Resource Center will lease the land for a nominal rent, and will share the cost of portable toilets with the Village. Erecting and overseeing the shelter will be the responsibility of the Center.

Mr. Lasso said he was grateful that the Village has recognized the day laborer process as a legitimate part of the local economy. He said, “With the new site, local residents will not be annoyed at seeing groups of seemingly aimless men hanging around a park. And we will be better able to interface with the workers and learn what is happening on the job and in their lives. We want to help them with English lessons, training in work skills and safety, health and other services.”

The Fayette Avenue property is a narrow, wedge-shaped parcel abutting the Sheldrake River, across the street from the Mamaroneck Squash Club. Mr. Verrastro noted that the area is a light industrial zone that can accommodate trucks that show up to pick up day laborers.

Douglas Mooney, owner of the Cornerstone construction company of Larchmont and a panelist on the TV program, said that his employees will contribute some of the expertise and labor for the all-weather shelter. He said the day laborers provide an important contribution to the local economy. “We definitely have a laborer shortage locally,” he said. “These men bring with them lots of skills.”

A number of day laborers have told Mr. Lasso they want to help with the shelter, too.

On a recent morning, there were only a handful of “jornaderos” waiting at Columbus Park in search of day labor. Asked about the shelter, all three said it would be a good thing. “Pues sería bueno,” said one worker, who declined to give his name. He was willing to do whatever work was needed on the shelter. But all three expressed “unas dudas” – some doubts that the new site would attract the employers.

“Aquí - la gente conoce,” people know about this spot, but a new place…? That problem has already been addressed: there will be signs at the new and old location directing workers and employers to the correct place, said Mr. Verrastro.

Furthermore, the current spot may soon become the site of a major construction project. A developer, John Lese, has a proposal in the works to erect condominiums near the park. “It would be a nightmare congestion-wise while construction would be going on,” said Mr. Verrastro. Though the project may not start for some time, getting a new spot for the day laborers now will avoid potential problems later on down the road.

Harold Wolfson volunteers with the Hispanic Resource Center and the Local Summit.