By:Karenlyn Barone
On Monday, all of that ended, as a demolition crew brought down the historic building. Residents were shocked by this seemingly hasty move on the part of the landowner, and many brushed aside tears.
Members of the Colwell family, owner of the property at 2 Main St., bustled around the site as the heavy machinery struck the building and brought the structure to the ground. Nancy Colwell-Quinn was visibly moved, and admitted that watching the destruction of the building that had housed her family-s business for so long was incredibly sad. Yet she admitted that the family had considered demolishing the building for quite a while.
The East Point Inn-s heyday ended over two years ago, when the family sold the business to a group of investors. But the new owners did not maintain the business as the Colwells had, and the restaurant reportedly fell into disrepair. It abruptly closed at the end of January.
As the inn stood empty, there was much speculation about what would become of it, but answers were not forthcoming. Most people speculated that with the impending completion of the village-s Waterfront Revitalization Project, the restaurant might once again be opened for business on the corner where it thrived for years. There was some talk of a senior housing complex taking its place, but, no one ever thought the day would come when the building would be leveled without notice.
According to Stephen Rusnak, senior building inspector of the East Rockaway Building Department, the plans to raze the building were rash and had no proper authorization. The first indication that the owners wanted to destroy the landmark East Point Inn was when they applied for a demolition permit last Friday, April 2, wrote East Rockaway Mayor Joseph Carrigan in a letter that, as of press time, was ready to be mailed to residents as an explanation of the events leading up to Monday-s demolition. The village never issued the permit.
Now the debris from the building's remains isn't the only thing flying. The landowners and the village are offering contradicting stories of what led to the demolition.
The Colwells contend that they did, in fact, apply for a permit on Friday April 2, and were asked to return two hours later for the signed authorization. When they returned, they were told that Building Department Superintendent Dennis McCabe was not available. They tried to obtain the signed permit later that day, but were told that McCabe would not be back in the office until April 12. The Colwells then withdrew their application.
The building department and the mayor say that the Colwells' expectations were unrealistic, and that it takes at least two days to issue a permit once an application is received. That authorization is also contingent on having the proper paperwork accompany the permit application. Carrigan said that the application did not include a necessary asbestos report, and a permit would never be issued without that documentation.
The Colwells contend that they followed the correct procedure and included all necessary documentation with their permit request. According to them, an asbestos report was not requested.
At press time, the mayor stated in a phone interview with The Herald that summonses had been issued in connection with the demolition of the building without the proper signed permits, and that additional summonses would be issued each day until the application was re-submitted.
The owner-s actions are in direct violation and contravention of the law, Carrigan-s letter continued. It is disappointing that the owner-s hasty and illegal actions have resulted in the destruction of this icon of the village and the centerpiece of our waterfront. Unfortunately, the choices and desires of the landowner have prevailed over the greater good of the community.
Carrigan said that plans had been in the works to have the building declared a historical landmark.
I find it reprehensible that the owners should turn their backs on East Rockaway and destroy part of our heritage, said newly elected Village Trustee Ed Cook. The board has been exploring a landmarks ordinance that would preserve East Rockaway-s heritage. The demolition of the East Point Inn was nothing short of an act of vandalism on a grand scale. The owners bought an historic property and had a moral obligation to the community to preserve village history."
Residents are less concerned with the legal ramifications of the unauthorized destruction of the historic building than they are focused on the empty lot that once held what many viewed as an institution. The building served as the first village post office and general store almost a century ago, long before it became as a restaurant in 1969.
The East Point Inn was one of the jewels of our village, said lifelong resident June Conklin. It is sad to see such a beautiful landmark demolished. Many people will miss the warmth and friendliness of the longtime family owners.
