Huntington Station, NY – The Town of Huntington has taken title to the abandoned automobile repair shop at 1000 New York Avenue and has begun the measures necessary before demolishing the structure, the latest step toward redeveloping the site with a mixed-use building that is a key element of the Town's Huntington Station redevelopment plans.

            The closing occurred Oct. 15, after the owner, Dish Realty, agreed not to contest the Town's decision to acquire the property through eminent domain.

            "The Town is moving to eliminate this long-standing community eyesore as quickly as possible and replace it with a structure that will be a source of community pride," Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said. "Huntington Station's revitalization continues, step by step, and this is an important facet of our revitalization plan." 

            Last week, an outside appraiser retained by the Town visited the site to conduct an appraisal of fixtures in the building. The Town this week began assessing what remediation measures are necessary and will apply for a demolition permit. The Town projects that demolition will occur toward the end of next month. The Town will be seeking a developer for the property; it expects to issue a request for proposals for a developer early next year.

"The community has told us they want this building down, and we are in the process of doing that.  We want something they can be proud of in its place, and we are working hard to make that a reality as soon as possible," Councilman Mark Cuthbertson said.

The Town has been trying for some time to encourage the redevelopment of the property and secured a $1.17 million Restore NY Communities grant to assist in the demolition and construction of the 10,800-square foot mixed-use, retail and residential building. When a formal agreement with the owner of the property could not be reached, the Town started the process to acquire the property and take over its replacement. The property is central to the Town's redevelopment plans, which includes transformation of a 17,000-square foot right of way in front of the parcel at New York Avenue and Olive Street into a pedestrian-friendly, aesthetically pleasing public plaza. The Town is working the State Department of Transportation to obtain the permits necessary to construct the plaza.

The Restore NY grant is the second the Town has received. The Town also received a $1.56 million grant to acquire three lots on nearby Columbia Street and build 16 affordable housing units as part of the "Take Back the Blocks" program that is another element of the Town's Huntington Station redevelopment plans. Dilapidated houses on the three acquired lots were demolished earlier this month.

"These two projects exemplify the Town's commitment to Huntington Station's continued revitalization, providing economic development and much-needed affordable housing," Councilwoman Susan Berland said. "We are making progress on many different fronts and look forward to working with the community as this process continues."

"Demolition of 1000 New York Avenue will remove a symbol of Huntington Station blight, and the concept of mixed use is also a definite benefit to this location," Councilwoman Glenda Jackson said. "We look forward to admiring the replacement building from the public plaza the Town is building in front as part of our revitalization projects."

Both projects are part of the broader Huntington Station redevelopment initiative that the Town's Economic Development Corp, has been working on for several years. The revitalization has also included redevelopment of the Big H Shopping Center, construction of the Highview at Huntington affordable housing project and plans to reclaim brownfields sites.