Theater demolition pushed back by Irene

The demolition of the Plaza Theatre, a long-standing vacant building in East Patchogue, has been postponed until mid-September because of Tropical Storm Irene.

Brookhaven Town officials had planned to tear down the theater Tuesday, but instead diverted their efforts to the town’s recovery from Irene, spokesman Jack Krieger said. A new demolition date has not been set, he said, but it will likely be scheduled for the middle of next month.

The theater, which opened in 1962, has sat vacant on East Main Street for more than 25 years. Suffolk County began trying to take over the property in 2006 and three years later handed that process over to the town, which condemned the building.

Brookhaven and Suffolk County officials were scheduled to hold a ceremony outside the theater on the day of demolition. Brookhaven hopes to redevelop the property, town officials have said.

“It’s going to come down,” town Supervisor Mark Lesko said.