Demolition of 'Eyesore' Zombie House Wrapped Up In Mastic Beach

MASTIC BEACH, NY — Another zombie house has been razed in Mastic Beach, officials say.

Work was completed this week to demolish a blighted, decades-long vacant home located at 719 Riviera Drive, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, Town Councilman Dan Panico and Suffolk County Legislator Rudy Sunderman, all of whom were present at the demolition in Mastic Beach, said.

The house, which was in complete disrepair, was demolished by the town’s department of recycling and sustainable materials management in accordance with Chapter 73 of the Brookhaven town code which provides a “fast track” to rid neighborhoods of unsafe structures, Romaine said.

The cost of demolition and debris removal is the responsibility of the property owner, and the town places a lien on the property that is then placed on the tax bill. The county reimburses the town and then they collect the money from the property owner, Romaine aid.

“This house has been an eyesore as long as anyone can remember, and the fact that it sits on wetlands make it even more important to remove it. These houses bring down a neighborhood and lower the property values of the homes all around them. We will continue our efforts to demolish abandoned houses to make Mastic Beach a better place to live for everyone," Romaine said.

Panico agreed. "In Brookhaven we don't talk about change and don't wait for others. We are going to make the changes that residents have been waiting for and we aren't going to let grass grow under our feet. A bright future is on the horizon, but we must first part the clouds.”

Panico posted a photo of the derelict home on his Facebook page earlier this week and promised that another structure, 136 Riviera, would be coming down next week.

He also said that the town board would discuss setting a public hearing on the demolition and clean up of another blighted property on Beaver Drive.

The board has been actively seeking to rid the landscape of the area of burned out, blighted parcels.

In April, a burned out "zombie house" at 176 Maywood Road that's long been an eyesore in the Mastic Beach community was torn down, officials said.

The house, which sustained major damage from fires over the past three years, was deemed a dangerous nuisance in the neighborhood and sparked a public outcry from residents.

"We are dedicated and have committed to cleaning up and making Mastic Beach the beautiful waterfront community that it should be," Panico said. "As each of these houses come down, property values rise and we take another step forward to achieving the quality of life that residents deserve."

Also in April the former Dairy Barn on William Floyd Parkway commenced, Panico said, with a list of others under consideration by the town board for demolition.

Patch courtesy photo.