Yorktown School District Defends Decision to Demolish Farmhouse

With demolition plans underway, Yorktown school board President Jackie Carbone has issued a statement defending the decision to demolish the 199-year-old Melbourne Farmhouse, located on district property.

Earlier this month, the to general construction to NAC Industries for the demolition and abatement of the Farmhouse. The money comes from a $37.6 million bond project on which homeowners voted on in 2006.

In the statement, which came days after  outside the Farmhouse, Carbone addressed several issues about the decision to demolish the building. 

She said it was not an easy decision and that "extensive analysis and work was done for a number of years," and public meetings were held to present the alternatives. In addition, the district notified and received approval from the SHPO (State Department of Historic Preservation) for the demolition, Carbine said. 

The Facilities Committee, comprised of district staff, board members, the construction manager, architect and several community members, ultimately recommended the demolition of the building, she wrote. 

Carbone detailed the alternative uses that were explored, and said that outside groups have found it cost prohibitive. The building had been considered for a local museum, a realtor wanted to see if it could be moved to another location, and the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce looked into possible use of the building. In addition, the Town Clerk visited along with a historical architect who after examining the building determined that "there was little left to save and not much of historical significance."

Outside use of the building during school hours, she said, is illegal and it would create "concern for the security and safety" of the 3,000 students on the campus. Other problems include insufficient infrastructure of the main road for a new turnoff into the building.

"As for our using it for students, it is against state law to put students in a wood-framed building," Carbone wrote. "We as a district have no need for the space."

Carbone said engineers have declared the building, which district administrators vacated in 2004, to be structurally unsound. By New York State law, employing volunteers to fix up and renovate the building is prohibited, she said. 

Carbone also addressed accusations that district officials refused to meet with a group of activists, interested in preserving the building, on July 14. She called the meeting a "protest" by local activists and said the police was called for "safety and security reasons."

"There was never a meeting scheduled nor were they ever granted permission to go through the building," she said. 

Alan Strauber, local activist and other preservationists, said he called the school district 10 days prior, telling them they were going to be at the Farmhouse, but his phone calls weren't returned. 

"I do not know the Strang or Purdys families, but I would assume that they would want their legacy to be for the good they did and to be remembered in the minds and hearts of the citizens, not in the materialistic possessions they may have once owned," Carbone wrote. "They sold their land and buildings in the first half of the 20th century. I would assume as most homeowners do when they sell their house they relinquish the right to determine what happens to it after."

She said the Board of Education appreciates the cooperation and concern of the community over the years.

"[We] firmly believe that this decision is in the best interests of the community, given our responsibility to consider the safety and finances of the district for the long-term," Carbone said. 

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