Crews demolish Civil War-era home in downtown Rockville Centre
The plans to redevelop the property are still ongoing.
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Crews hired by the owner of a historic home located in downtown Rockville Centre demolished the property this morning, though what will replace it is still unclear.
According to the Historical Society of Rockville Centre, the home dates back to 1863 and was one of many homes on the block, but over time the surrounding area has changed into a commercial district and the property owner wants to bring the Civil War-era home into the 21st Century.
"The more that we continue to lose historic properties the more of our physical history continues to disintegrate," Rockville Center Historical Society Trustee Matt Cliszis said.
The owner had previously proposed a plan to transform the property into a multi-story mixed-use building that would include medical offices and rooftop dining. That proposal was before the village's Zoning Board of Appeals because it required parking and setback variances.
But on April 9, the owner withdrew the application to rework it and eventually submit a more scaled-back version to ease community concerns over parking and traffic.
For months, some community members have fought to save the home for its historic value.
"It's part of Rockville Centre," Oceanside resident Anthony Losardo said. "It's been here for the longest. I hate to see it go down. It's a shame."
Others thought it was time for a change.
"It was wasting away there," Rockville Centre resident John Lyons said. "Sooner or later it was going to fall apart anyway."
Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray told News 12 in a statement:
“While we deeply value the history and character this older home brings to our Village, we must also acknowledge the rights of property owners within the bounds of the law. In this case, the Village has no legal authority to prevent the demolition. We understand the concerns of residents who feel a sense of loss, and we remain committed to preserving our community’s charm wherever and however we can.”
Demolition work will continue Friday between 5 a.m. and noon.
A new proposal to redevelop the property has not been submitted to the zoning board at this time.
