Glen Cove officials are hoping to make ferry service from Garvies Point to Manhattan a reality for their residents.

There is already a $17 million ferry terminal, but it has remained empty for six years with no service.

Now, city leaders are using an online survey to find out what kind of service to Manhattan is needed out of the facility.

"So, we are being very cautious and trying to predict what our ridership will be, what people are willing to spend, what times are good and what the destinations will be," says Glen Cove Mayor Pamela Pazenback.

Some service was tested several years ago, but it never took hold.

Ferry service was supposed to start again before the pandemic but was shelved as the state went into lockdown.

Residents say it's time to start running the ferry again.

"I'm hoping it gets put to good use - it's not just sitting there looking pretty and no one using it," says Sarah Robles.

If the terminal is not used for ferry service, Glen Cove could be required to pay back a nearly $17 million federal grant.

City officials say that won't happen and hope information from the survey can make the ferry run efficiently and cost-effectively.

Nearly 800 people have already filled in the survey.

If all goes well, Pazenback says ferry service could begin out of the city late next year.

Those who want to take part in the survey can do so here.