The lawmakers were here to announce that legislation - sponsored by Eddington and introduced via a Certificate of Necessity issued by the County Executive - passed at the Legislature's last meeting before its summer break, authorizing the county to move forward with condemnation proceedings to acquire the Plaza Theater site.

"This eyesore has been a plague to the local community and an enormous disincentive to economic development and growth in the area," said County Executive Levy, who stressed that any deals for redevelopment of the site would include the developer reimbursing the county for its investment. "The county is pleased to be partnering with the Town of Brookhaven in an effort to revitalize this important Suffolk downtown," Levy said.

"My first pledge to the residents of East Patchogue was to deal with the Plaza Theater, which has been a blight on their community for over 19 years," said Legislator Jack Eddington. "With the assistance of the County Executive, I have kept that pledge by finding an alternative solution to this long standing problem. This action will remove an eyesore from East Patchogue and help initiate a revitalization of this downtown area."    

Portions of downtown East Patchogue, which include the Plaza Theater property and land fronting Main Street, were declared blighted by a recent study commissioned by the Town of Brookhaven.  That finding built the foundation for a redevelopment effort anchored by the county's taking title to the property through eminent domain.

"At some point, there has to be a statute of limitations on neglect," said Levy, referring to the owner of the commercial property that has refused to either sell or improve the site over these many years. "We do not exercise the concept of eminent domain cavalierly. Improving this land will substantially increase and further enhance the economic viability of the downtown area of East Patchogue and will lead to a healthier community, more employment opportunities, a bolstering of the tax base for the entire area, and it will displace no one," the County Executive said.

"Removing this eyesore from the heart of East Patchogue is a critical step in the revitalization of this downtown area," said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley. "For two decades, the abandoned Plaza Theater has been a symbol of the blight that has afflicted this area. A study commissioned by Brookhaven Town found this property and other lands on Main Street to be blights on the community, blights that were making it next to impossible to revitalize this area. With the Plaza Theater gone, it will open up the door for the revitalization of East Patchogue. This is a case where government's use of its eminent domain power is entirely justified. Removing this building will clear the way for new businesses, new jobs and new opportunities for East Patchogue."

Area residents and civic groups were on hand to applaud the effort, telling tales of some of the horrific things they have witnessed here over the years and detailing the burden this abandoned site has placed on their businesses, their homes and on their quality of life.

"Jack Eddington, six months ago, made a promise to Focus to have something happen at the Plaza Theater, and we thank him," said Marita Morello, President of FOCUS East Patchogue, a civic association that has been lobbying for help with revitalization.  "We hope that businesses will see we are trying to make the community better and will decide to join us. The old 'Pizza Hut' has started and this will help make Main Street better for the people."

Patchogue Village Mayor, Paul Pontiere, whose jurisdiction ends at Rte. 112, pledged his government's support of the revitalization despite its location beyond the village border. "This is the gateway to the Village of Patchogue," Pontiere said. "Developing this site will make the village stronger, it will make the community stronger; it works for us," he said, adding that the village would be willing to extend its sewer lines east to accommodate the redevelopment of the site.

The county and town will be working on an economic development and revitalization plan for the area in the weeks ahead. Possible future redevelopment of the site could include a mixed-use facility with retail and office space as well as a number of workforce housing units.