The Mastick Road Garage Plan: A Closer Look at Fairview Park’s Next Big Move

Fairview Park’s plan to move its service garage to a plot of land off Mastick Road isn’t winning fans fast. The property in question sits on shaky ground—literally. Experts warn the soil needs major fixes before any building can go up, and wetlands cover part of the site. That means months of red tape from federal and state agencies, possibly stretching the project timeline longer than expected. City leaders pushed for the move to solve problems at the current garage, but this land might just bring bigger headaches instead. Traffic won’t be a nightmare at first, according to new studies. Roads near the site should handle a little extra traffic during rush hours, and no extra turn lanes are needed. But questions keep popping up about long-term costs and delays. At a recent meeting, council members grilled officials about timelines and budgets, getting little more than vague answers in return. One finance director even admitted the city can’t afford to start construction this year—even if they wanted to.Residents aren’t staying quiet, either. A group of 26 people sued the city over the project, arguing it’s a waste of taxpayer money. They also sent a formal demand to stop the planned land purchase. Meanwhile, Ward 5’s council rep isn’t sold on the idea. He agrees the old garage needs fixing but calls the Mastick Road plan too risky. Wetlands, weak soil, and endless approvals could turn a quick fix into a slow-motion disaster. The bigger question? Does this location even make sense? Some worry about property values dropping nearby, while others argue the city could run out of time. The official vote is set for May 18—the same day the city must finalize the land deal. If they don’t get answers soon, the whole project might hit a wall.