Bill rescues old landmark from auction block; Transfers building to local fire department
(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) announced the passage of a bill (A.8036) that would authorize the Commissioner of the Office of General Services to transfer a piece of land that was formerly used as the Patchogue Armory through the Town of Brookhaven to the North Patchogue Fire Department. The Armory Building was slated to go to auction as is to the highest bidder on August 1, 2013.
The Town of Brookhaven has agreed to take the armory from the Office of General Services with the intent of transferring it to the North Patchogue Fire Department on the stipulation that a funding plan for remediation is put in place.
Assemblyman Hennessey’s bill creates a three-year window for the funding to be established and remediation to occur. An Environmental Site Assessment performed on the property in 2012 made it clear that remediation would include minor asbestos abatement in the building and the scouring of septic tanks that evinced elevated concentrations of volatile organic compounds (cleaning agents and mercury).
According to a conservative estimate by the environmental consulting firm that reviewed the property, the remediation process could cost between $25,000 and $50,000 before the site can be transferred.
“At one time, the Patchogue Armory had been a proud addition to a quiet neighborhood. Now it sits empty and abandoned. I can think of no better group to take possession of the property than the North Patchogue Fire Department which has expressed a desire to use the rear building to help house and maintenance their vehicles. There has also been discussion of how the front building could be utilized by the community. The old armory needs some TLC and stewardship. I believe our local volunteers are the right group to fill that need. With their oversight and community involvement this old landmark will be repurposed in a way that fits into the neighborhood,” said Assemblyman Hennessey.
