Demolitions mark new beginning in Huntington Station

The claw of an excavator dug into the roof of a two-story wood-frame house Tuesday, beginning its demolition and, with it, continuing the long-term effort to revitalize Huntington Station.

The destruction of the home, and two others on the corner of Lowndes Avenue and Columbia Street, is the latest step in the town's Take Back the Blocks program, which aims to convert absentee-landlord dwellings into owner-occupied residences. In place of the three homes, the town plans to build eight duplex structures, each containing an owner-occupied component and an accessory apartment. The homes will be open to first-time home buyers selected by lottery.

The three properties represent about half the property for the affordable-housing site. The other half comes from property already owned by the town.

"This will uplift the Station," said Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone, who was joined by Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and town board members Mark Cuthbertson, Susan Berland, Glenda Jackson and Mark Mayoka. "It will be a symbol to tell people who want to engage in criminal activity, whether it's gangs, drugs, prostitution: You don't belong here. We have taken this block back. Leave - go now," Petrone said.

Plans for the project were announced last year. The homes were purchased for a total of $778,000, split between Suffolk County and money from the Town's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The county will kick in an additional $100,000 for infrastructure improvements. Construction will be funded by a $1.56 million state Restore NY Communities grant.

The land will be transferred to the town's Community Development Agency, which will be in charge of the development.

"By pooling our money between the town and county, we are able to double these type of projects in areas requiring revitalization," Levy said. "This isn't just for the families who will occupy these new units, but it's hope for the community when they see the different levels of government working together."

Construction is expected to begin in August, with the homeowner lottery in September and a move-in date in December. The home buyers and renters will have to meet income requirements. Priority will be given to residents in the Huntington school district.

As the excavator got to work, onlookers gawked and cars slowed to watch the spectacle.

One of them was Enrique Santos.

"I think this is great," said Santos, who has lived next door to the empty houses for about a year. "Sometimes empty buildings attract trouble and could be dangerous. I hope we can get some nice neighbors now."