This Shields Property Has Seen Its Last Days

A 60-year-old building, in disarray and visible from Port Washington Boulevard, will be demolished by the Port Washington Parking District, according to the .

The district will enter into a one-year lease with an option to purchase the premises, according to a resolution that passed at Tuesday's Town Board meeting. The district will turn the property into a public parking area. 

“This ugly building, also known as the Shields building, will finally be demolished after 60 years,” Councilman Fred Pollack said. “The building has been boarded up for some time, and it is long overdue and the town has been in negotiations for a while with the owner.”

Long Island Sound LLC, the owner of the property that encompasses 5 Main Street, 1070 Port Washington Boulevard and 6 Ohio Avenue, will lease the property to the district for one year for $1, plus real estate tax payments, with an option to buy for $898,000. 

Pollack, who was uncertain as to the start date of the lease, said the agreement authorizes the district to perform certain environmental testing.

There were no comments at the town board meeting for or against the demolition of this property. However, at past meetings Port Washington residents have said the unsightly building was a blight in the community.

If the property is purchased by the district, a phase II environmental site assessment will be conducted. If there are onsite hazardous materials, such as lead paint, asbestos or PCBs, Long Island Sound LLC will be responsible for the removal or remediation of these environmental conditions to the maximum amount of $89,800, according to Town Board Resolution NO. 634-2011.