Demolition Expected For Woodland Nursery

The vacant and decrepit buildings on Franklin Avenue that were once home to the Woodland Nursery in Malverne could soon be demolished, according to village officials.

At Wednesday night's public meeting of the board of trustees, Richard Barbieri of the Building's Department, stated that the demolition permits were currently sitting on his desk, awaiting approval.

"The structures at the site will most likely be demolished next week," he said.

In late 2010, A&E Development LLC - also known as "Mr. Stoop" - purchased the property. There have been rumors flying around that the firm intends to erect townhouses at the site, but as of now, no formal plans have been presented to the village.

"I'm open to anything," Agostino Esposito, the owner of A&E Development, told Patch Thursday. (Check back later today for a full interview with Esposito.)

To build townhouses, the property would need to be rezoned, but as of Wednesday night, Mayor Patricia Norris McDonald said no requests to change the zoning had been submitted either.

"The plan right now is to bring the property up to a clean, basic park-like environment, eliminating some of the hazards," said Trustee Michael Bailey.

Asbestos abatement was completed about a month ago and Nassau County did a rodent inspection on Wednesday, giving the site a "clean bill of health," according to Barbieri.

Bailey explained that before any development plans or zoning changes could be implemented at the site, they would first have to go before the village board and a public hearing would be held.

Residents living near the property have already received notices about the pending demolition.

"I'm glad the buildings will be demolished," one woman who lives nearby said. "It had become an eye sore."

The Malverne Volunteer Fire Department received permission to conduct a drill on the property tonight at 7:30 p.m. Chief Danny Morgan said there will be "no burning and no shut down of traffic" on Franklin Avenue. Anyone with questions about the drill can contact the chief's office at 516-593-2495.