Former Nessenger Auto Dealership Property Will Be Returned to Natural State

Farmingville, NY – Supervisor Mark Lesko and Councilman Tim Mazzei have announced that the Town has closed on the acquisition of the former Nessenger auto dealership property on Montauk Highway in East Patchogue. The parcel, which is 3.8 acres, is located in an environmentally sensitive area adjacent to the Swan River and just across Montauk Highway from Swan Lake. The Town’s Department of Waste Management will demolish and dispose of the remaining structures and parking lot so the property can be returned to its natural state and used as a community park, thus expanding the Town’s open space program. The purchase of the blighted Nessenger property continues the Town's revitalization of East Patchogue, which includes the new sewer lines and the demolition of the Plaza Theater.

Supervisor Lesko said, “We are continuing to turn blight into light in the Town of Brookhaven and East Patchogue. The acquisition of the former Nessenger Chevrolet comes soon after the demolition of the Plaza Theatre and is another big step forward in the revitalization the East Main Street corridor.”

“The Nessenger property has been a severe blight on the East Patchogue community,” said Councilman Mazzei. “For the last several years, I have been working to replace it with open space that our residents can enjoy and it’s great to see that plan is finally coming to fruition.”

"The plan to return the Nessenger auto property to its natural state is another step in the dramatic renaissance for Patchogue and another success story for Supervisor Lesko's Blight to Light Initiative," said Congressman Tim Bishop. "I will continue to work closely with Brookhaven Town on ways the federal government can support the revitalization of our communities."

Tom Berger, spokesperson for FOCUS East Patchogue said, “We are grateful that the Town has taken over the Nessenger property because it is so close to the fresh water stream. It’s important to have it returned to a natural state that will enhance the revitalization of the area.”

Once a car dealership, the Nessenger property has stood as a “monument to blight” for many years. The deteriorating building and parking lot still remains and the Town will soon begin the demolition process. The first step in this process is to remediate asbestos existing in the main building. The Town is currently awaiting receipt of estimates to undertake this required work. The purchase price of the property is $1,013,000.

Since 2009, the Town has purchased hundreds of acres of open space, including the most recent acquisitions of the Lake Grove School property located within the Carmans River Watershed, 16 parcels in the Terryville Greenbelt conservation area, and five parcels of upland and wetland open space in the northwestern corner of Lake Panamoka.

Congressman Tim Bishop is working with the Town to secure a grant to help restore the property to its natural state.

Supervisor Lesko introduced the Blight to Light initiative to provide incentives for the redevelopment of vacant eyesores in Brookhaven communities. The Town partnered with the Industrial Development Agency to create a film, which can be viewed on Brookhaven’s website, which portrays blight as opportunity.

The Town has seen some recent successes with Blight to Light, including the recent demolition of the vacant and graffiti-ridden Plaza Theatre on September 13, a decaying eyesore in the community for nearly 25 years. Other Blight to Light projects include the redevelopment plan of the abandoned UA Theater in Coram, which will create over 400 jobs, the re-opening of Buckley’s Irish Pub in Center Moriches on September 28, 2011, and the recent grand openings of the Raymour and Flanigan furniture store and Shop Rite supermarket, both located at the once blighted Home Depot property in Patchogue.

For more information on Blight to Light, visit www.brookhaven.org and click on Blight to Light in the “In the Spotlight” section.

Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6595 • Fax (631) 451-6258