A dilapidated eyesore

293 East Main Street in East Patchogue was an eyesore even prior to the fire, which deemed the building uninhabitable in 2019. Prior to the fire, a series of violation notices were sent out in 2018 and 2019 for board and security and no certificate of occupancy.

The fire at the site minorly injured three firefighters on Sept. 29, 2019. North Patchogue, Medford, Hagerman and Patchogue fire departments responded. The town has since boarded and secured the building.

“That fire looked like it started from outside the structure,” said chief of the North Patchogue Fire Department Gene Spiotta Jr., recalling the incident. “Our firefighters aggressively attacked that fire. The inside of building is really in poor shape, with holes in the floor. It’s collapsing without anybody doing anything to it.”

“I am surprised they haven’t knocked it down,” he added.
However, according to town council- man Neil Foley, the structure is located within the overlay district proposed for East Patchogue and in line for eventual demolition, pending development. Plans for the redevelopment of that area, he said, were approved about a year ago and are awaiting comments from the town to move forward.

“It’s absolutely on my radar,” Foley promised. “I look forward to watching it come down very soon.”

The owner of the property, Evan Abazis, of East Main Street Ventures of NY, LLC, is also the owner of the neighboring Mediterranean Manor. He could not be reached for comment. Abazis has owned the property since 2011 after purchasing it from Greg and Mary Boussios in 2011. They owned the property since 1982. It is currently zoned J6 and abandoned.

“I always believed that stretch was the entrance to the village,” added Patchogue mayor Paul Pontieri, also eager to see it eventually demolished. “It’s important that gets developed in a matter that is complimentary to the village.”