In a move expected to save money and solve problems created by construction delays, the East Hampton School District this week reached a new lease agreement with the owners of the property at 41 Route 114, where the district has had its bus depot for more than a decade.
That property is owned by a corporation called 41114 L.L.C., whose anticipated tenant was to have been South Fork Wind, which will now sublease the facility to the school district. Initially the district had anticipated being able to finish building its new bus depot on Springs-Fireplace Road by this point, but shortages of materials and other problems have plagued the construction.
For November and December, East Hampton will pay a monthly rent of $20,833 to stay on the property. In January, the monthly rent will be $10,416, and the agreement is to end on April 29, 2022.
J.P. Foster, the school board president, said the new transportation hub is "coming along nicely," but acknowledged the last-minute nature of the new lease agreement. "Here we are, it's Oct. 19 and signing a lease that's 11 days away," he said. "There was a lot of faith put in the process."