RSS Feed
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
S.C. Leg. Tom Barraga forms task force to explore uses for LaGrange site in West Islipby Carolyn James A community task force has been formed to come up with alternative uses for the site of LaGrange Inn in West Islip. A proposal on the table calls for moving and restoring a portion of the LaGrange Inn building, and constructing a Walgreen’s Pharmacy on the west side of the property there, something the community has dramatically opposed as being out of character for the area. “This is a premier piece of ground in that hamlet and the public has a strong sense of its historical importance,” said S.C. Leg. Tom Barraga who started the task force and remains a member. Barraga said the task force, made up of a cross section of the community, understands that the site is privately owned and that the owners have rights and need to make a profit on their investment. But, he said, they also need to recognize the importance of that property to the public. “We are willing to work with them to put up something other than a pharmacy,” said Barraga. The Walgreen’s company has outlined its controversial proposal at a meeting at the West Islip Library almost two months ago. More than 300 people attended, almost all of them vehemently opposed to the plan, which also calls for Walgreens to invest $1.5 million to restore the LaGrange Inn building to its original size and condition. A Walgreen’s spokesperson said that the company is moving forward and is reaching out to the community on its owner to garner support. “We are aware of concerns about plans for a Walgreens. No decision has been made, and we are reviewing the issues, as well as our options,” said Carol Hively a Walgreens corporate spokeswoman. The task force has 17 members, and is headed up by chairman Joseph De Carlo of West Islip. ”We are inviting business people, owners of shopping centers, builders of assisted living facilities, medical facilities and anyone else who might have an interesting proposal for the land,” said Barraga. “But this community doesn’t need and doesn’t want another pharmacy.” Read next week's edition of the Beacon for more details.
|
for larger version       |
||||||||||||||||||||
