Business & Tech

Two Historic Sites 'Endangered'

Oyster Bay LIRR station and historic cluster of Jericho homes designated endangered historic sites by Long Island society.

A landmark stop on the LIRR and a historic set of homes are in danger in Town of Oyster Bay, according to the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities.

Commercial development and slow-moving restoration plans have placed the historic Oyster Bay Long Island Railroad house and Old Cedar Swamp Road in Jericho on SPLIA's 2013 list of Endangered Historic Places.

In Oyster Bay, a "lack of collaborative support and planning to begin a shovel-ready project" have slowed necessary plans for restoration of the 19th century station house, according to SPLIA. The station is on its way to being restored so it can become a museum. However, as plans continue to drag, the aging brick house on Railroad Avenue continues to deteriorate, said the society.

The station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its role in the history of the LIRR and for its use by President Theodore Roosevelt.

"We welcome the designation -- anything that will bring attention to the station and its need for restoration," Oyster Bay Railroad Museum President John Specce told Newsday. The museum is currently trying to raise $100,000 for window, door, and exterior repairs, said the report.

In Jericho, 18th and 19th century homes on Cedar Swamp Road caught SPLIA's attention because of an "impending development" and plans to construct an assisted living facility and parking lot.

Two homes are already slated for demolition with the rest of the cluster potentially being targeted.

SPLIA is advocating saving both sites for both their historic importance in a culturally and environmentally sensitive area and to show commitment by Town officials to revitalize its historic districts.


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