The Pawn Shop & The Limestone Statue

July 22, 2012 7:57 pm | Filed under: Around Town,Code Enforcement,Investigations,Most Read Stories of 2012,News | Posted by:

 

The photo above: 1000 New York Avenue after it had been acquired by the Town because they said it was an eye sore for nearly a decade. The photo was taken in September of 2009.  Promises were made for a Pedestrian Plaza.  According to various press releases and promises from local politicians the project completion date was to be mid-2011.  They even claimed to have secured public funds in the millions for this project.  They even had pretty (and we are guessing costly) drawings of how lovely it would be. (Town of Huntington Economic Development Corporation, Huntington Station Review of Economic Development/Revitalization Initiatives)

Here are some of those renditions:

 And our local politicians talked about how it would set the tone for what was to come:

“Establishing the environment that draws people to an area is central to its economic revival,” Councilman Mark Cuthbertson said. “When completed, this new building and the plaza in front will become a magnet that will spur commerce along all of New York Avenue.”   (2009)

“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.”  (2009)

“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 proposal for a developer early next year”.  (Town Hall Press Release 9/09)

“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. (2009)

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. (2009)

Nothing happened after the eye sore was knocked down, but maybe that was because the town wasn’t on the fast track until 2011:

“Today’s action puts us on the fast track to redeveloping this parcel. We have eliminated this symbol of area blight, and look forward to creative proposals from developers who see the potential this location has for commercial development,” Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said. (March, 2011)

Potential?? But we already paid for those pretty pictures.

The plans called for “neighborhood friendly and/or convenience retail uses that attract patronage of the businesses and enjoyment of the adjacent pedestrian plaza.”

Even though they didn’t have a developer or a plan the EDC (Economic Development Corp.) did purchase $65,000 worth of limestone statues that will be imported from Colorado and placed in front of the newly opend PAWN SHOP that will remain adjacent to the property.  It is our understanding that the Pawn Shop proprietor signed a 10 year lease with landlord Don Pius.

This is what it looks like today:

 

Facebook Comments must be signed into Facebook

26 Responses to The Pawn Shop & The Limestone Statue

  1. “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.” (2009)

    Apparently our supervisor is getting forgetful, perhaps it’s time to retire.

    The statues were bought from whom?

    Really?

    AT
    July 22, 2012 9:59 pm at 9:59 pm

  2. What is the Town’s side of this story? Did you even attempt to get that information or at least a comment? If the Huntingtonian wants to “shed light on Huntington”, I think you should help your readers understand the issues by reporting the complete story as accurately and fairly as possible. Or, maybe, that’s not what your about.
    As for AT’s above comments; no need to repeat in your comments word for word what we all just read. Really.

    wundaboy
    July 22, 2012 10:25 pm at 10:25 pm

  3. What is the Town’s side to this story? Did you attempt get that information or a comment from them? If you did, please tell us what they said and who said it. Your readers deserve to have the full story to understand and take a position on this issue.

    wundaboy
    July 23, 2012 12:05 am at 12:05 am

  4. @Wundaboy, I added links to our sources which are all official Town Hall statements and documents.

    Ilene Fucci - Editor
    July 23, 2012 8:14 am at 8:14 am

  5. Just what the community needs…a pawn shop. This really puts the revitalization in the right direction…not!

    Irish
    July 23, 2012 9:10 am at 9:10 am

  6. Ilene: I appreciate the archival links but that is not what I am referring to. I was hoping you would provide current comment from a named town source to explain (from the Town’s perspective) why this project has been delayed and to respond to your comments about the pawn shop. Thank you.

    wundaboy
    July 23, 2012 9:24 am at 9:24 am

  7. Why THIS project has been delayed???? Show me a project that has been completed. Show me anything besides pretty little pictures and plans that never make it to fruition. SHOW ME THE MONEY that has been dumped into revitalization efforts for the last 40 years that has amounted to anything. Show me anything besides the million dollar sidewalk to OZ that only results in “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain”.

    FairyGyrl
    July 23, 2012 10:59 am at 10:59 am

  8. I say this to you all who read this now, we live in a corrupt kingdom. King Francis I intends to rule until the end of time or the town is bankrupt. He is a tyrant. His minions – Berland and Cuthbertson are just pawns. They do nothing. It’s the thieves like Fonti and Pius who do his bidding. He has descended from Republican to Democrat to King of Huntington. He is to blame. He knows all too well how to manage a good photo-op. We must stand up to this tyrant! And his name is Frank Petrone.

    Equitas
    July 23, 2012 1:39 pm at 1:39 pm

  9. I think it is inaccurate to call Petrone a King. He is much more of a court jester.

    Jim
    July 24, 2012 6:13 am at 6:13 am

  10. Patrone is (trying) turning the “Station” area into a Queens neighborhood. If I wanted to live in Queens type of neighborhood, I would have moved there. I and everyone else I know live in Huntington because of the suburbs environment. I would imagine that some people will certainly benefit financially from this though…amazing!

    Irish
    July 24, 2012 8:36 am at 8:36 am

  11. Attacking and mocking our public officials on this website serves no purpose other than to give some perverted sense of gratification to the commenter. The reality is tht most voters in the Town of Huntington agree that we have a great town and that Frank Petrone has done an outstanding job as town supervisor. That’s why he gets re-elected every four years and can probably serve as long as he wants to. If you disagree with him, support another candidate the next time he is up for election and vote him or any other politician you don’t like out of office.
    In the meantime, try and be more respectful of all our public officials. If you have a complaint or criticism, and want to be taken seriously, then express that specifically, reasonably and fairly without all the name-calling and negative and dubious comments.

    wundaboy
    July 24, 2012 9:58 am at 9:58 am

  12. Where are the millions in public funds they said they secured? Have they already divvied it up amongst themselves? Someone has got to be profiting from all these so-called projects that get funding but are never to be seen as completed housing, businesses, roads, whatever.

    Or did the town just lose the funding because they never got a single project finished? Oh, we have a nice garden and nice brick sidewalks – that will do the trick – the trick is that they pulled this one over on us.

    Definitely… WHERE’S THE MONEY?

    My Town Too
    July 24, 2012 9:58 am at 9:58 am

  13. OK Dad, will do.

    Irish
    July 24, 2012 2:50 pm at 2:50 pm

  14. Ok, here are some facts about why Petrone looks like a clown:

    1. Anyone else remember when Frank stood at a Board of Education meeting and said he wanted to make Jack Abrams a community center?

    2. Anyone else have trouble parking in town because Frank has not planned properly for the Paramount?

    3. Anyone else wonder why all the homeless shelters are clustered in the same area and school district? school district 3

    4. Anyone else notice that the Pius issues predominantly occur in SD # 3?

    5. Anyone else wonder how a pawn shop fits into a revitalization program?

    Getting elected in Huntington has become an issue of being a political hack who dumps the problems of this town in select areas. Of course, the other areas love him, he dumps the shelters and clusters section 8 in Huntington Station.

    As far as respect, you apparently misunderstand the political system and that democracy embraces the ability to criticizes poor leadership and ineptitude. Go back and re read the Federalist papers and if you have trouble, you can stop hiding behind a pseudonym and I will help you with the big words.

    Jim
    July 24, 2012 3:09 pm at 3:09 pm

  15. Thanks for the offer Jim but I think I’ll pass on your offer. Sorry things have been so tough for you. Good luck.

    wundaboy
    July 24, 2012 11:28 pm at 11:28 pm

  16. I’m glad I finally got through to you.

    wundaboy
    July 24, 2012 11:47 pm at 11:47 pm

  17. I’ve been trying to vote him out!

    My Town Too
    July 25, 2012 9:01 am at 9:01 am

  18. Thanks Mom…

    Irish
    July 26, 2012 9:43 am at 9:43 am

  19. I was at the EDC meeting where the artist from Colorado was approved for the $65,000 art grant to be placed in a yet to be built plaza directly in front of this now pawn shop. Disgraceful. I wonder if the pawn shop, or the auto part store next door (that was for sale for a while) even realizes they will lose their parking?
    I asked the EDC members if they thought spending $65,000 was a wise decision, based on the other pressing issues facing the community, and the unanimous response I got was “it could only be used for art”. I guess it was just like the $2 million for sidewalks no one walks on…

    matt harris
    July 26, 2012 9:47 am at 9:47 am

  20. You’re welcome.

    wundaboy
    July 26, 2012 11:31 am at 11:31 am

  21. Art (as well as music,dance, writing, etc.) is an important part of our society and it is a positive that the money will be spent on a Huntington Station project. Since the grant can’t be used for anything else, what is the harm? With regards to the auto parts store, I go there occasional and have never had a problem parking in front of their store. I think they actually have off-street parking in a lot next to the store as well. Certainly revitalizing the area is good thing for the neighborhood in gerneral but I am also frustrated by the lack of progress and information about the status of this project. I was hoping the Huntigtonian would follow-up with the town on this matter.

    wundaboy
    July 27, 2012 11:56 am at 11:56 am

  22. OK, everyone who thinks wundaboy sounds like they work at Town Hall raise your hands! In fact ‘he’, sounds more like Joan Cergol who has vast knowledge of the grant process as well as the inner workings of all the revitalization. Considering she is head hawk of the EDC I can see why she is protecting her goose eggs on all the blogs.

    btw Joan, the issue with the art is we have many talented local artists. You should be investing these funds back within our own community. Thats the ‘harm’ Also we don’t hang artwork on the walls of our home until we are done spackling, painting and TAKING THE GARBAGE TO THE CURB. Then we hang pretty curtains and artwork.

    FairyGyrl
    July 28, 2012 11:19 am at 11:19 am

  23. @FairyGyrl: Of course you are wrong about who Wundaboy is but for commenters like you the truth is less important than mocking, criticizing, and libeling any public official you disagree with. Your paranoia and anger are the reason your comments are irrelevant and you can’t really participate in any constuctive conversation on this discussion board.

    wundaboy
    July 28, 2012 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm

  24. …..and I knew you would say “not I am not!” predictable. From watching your posts over the years you just made a very good description of yourself. Especially the angry part. They do have anger management classes for that, and pills. For the record it is a persons’ civic duty to question their so called elected leaders. However, under the 1st amendment, it is not the governments place to respond in a way that would prevent that person from doing so.

    FairyGyrl
    July 28, 2012 5:46 pm at 5:46 pm

  25. Pingback: Steetscaping & Multi-Level Parking Garage | The Huntingtonian

  26. Pingback: The Statues Have Arrived! | The Huntingtonian

You must be logged in to post a comment Login