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The developers who own the Canoe Place Inn property in Hampton Bays said they are still undecided about whether or not to demolish the 88-year-old structure after meeting with Southampton Town Board members in executive session last Thursday, October 7.
The day after that meeting, Gregg Rechler, a partner with R Squared LLC of Melville, said he and his cousin, Mitchell Rechler, will abandon their plans to raze the historic inn if they can reach an agreement with the town that preserves the building, which is not a protected landmark.
Earlier this week, Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst said the Rechlers, who originally offered to renovate the exterior of the Canoe Place Inn in exchange for securing permission to build 40 condominiums on other land that they own on the east side of the Shinnecock Canal, are now willing to preserve the interior of the building as well. The goal remains to reopen the building as a catering hall, she said.
“I was encouraged by, I think, a much more solid … and tangible renovation project for the inn,” Ms. Throne-Holst said on Monday, referring to discussions held in executive session last week. “But they stand firm on the 40 condos, so my plan is to go back out to the community in the next week or two.”
On Monday, Gregg Rechler declined to talk about any details relating to the modified agreement being discussed by Ms. Throne-Holst. He said he and his cousin are still at the negotiation table with Town Board members.
In an earlier interview, Mr. Rechler said he and his cousin are moving forward with the process that will allow them to demolish the inn. The Southampton Town Planning Board is expected to begin the review of their demolition permit application at its next meeting, scheduled for today, Thursday, October 14, at 7 p.m., according to David A. Wilcox Jr, the planning director for the town’s Department of Land Management: Long Range Division.
“I’m moving forward with pulling the permits for demolition,” Mr. Rechler said, adding that he does not know when a final decision will be made.
“The goal is within a short period of time,” he added. “We need to take it step by step. This has been discussed long enough. We should know shortly.”
Mr. Rechler said he dropped off the completed demolition permit application with the town on October 1, and town records show that the company paid the $1,000 fee on October 6. A final decision on the application is not expected for at least two months.
Mr. Rechler said he met with Town Board members last Thursday to discuss the fate of the property, and to talk about the company’s recent decision to file the demolition permit application.
Calls placed to Town Councilman Jim Malone, who has described himself as the board’s liaison to the Hampton Bays community, were not returned this week. Mr. Malone lives in the hamlet.
As part of their latest proposal, the Rechlers will agree to preserve both the interior and exterior of the Canoe Place Inn and provide a public walkway along the eastern side of the Shinnecock Canal, according to Ms. Throne-Holst. In exchange, the town would have to approve a planned development district, or PDD, allowing the Rechlers to build 40 condos on the eastern side of the canal.
If an agreement cannot be reached, and the Canoe Place Inn has a date with the wrecking ball, Mr. Rechler said he also intends to apply for demolition permits to raze the five cottages located next door to the inn. Those cottages sit on 2.37 acres. He also said the two properties that the cousins own on the eastern side of the canal, which are now being leased to 1 North Steakhouse and Tiderunners, will remain as they are until those contracts expire in about two years. The developers want to build the condominiums on those properties.
“As soon as the leases expire, we’ll redevelop the site,” Mr. Rechler said.
If an agreement is reached, and the developers get their PDD, Mr. Rechler said his firm, R Squared LLC, would also drop a lawsuit it filed against the town alleging that past building moratoriums targeting Hampton Bays were designed to stop its redevelopment of the Canoe Place Inn.
“This is not going to go on for much longer,” Mr. Rechler said of negotiations involving the inn property. “If we work things out, we’ll be able to stop [the demolition].”
