County OKs its share of funds to demolish Plaza Theatre

The Suffolk Legislature on Tuesday approved its share of a $700,000 project to demolish a long shuttered eyesore — the former Plaza Theatre in Patchogue — in the latest in a series of steps to upgrade the east Main Street area.

“The first meeting I had as a lawmaker was with members of Focus Patchogue, and I told them I would not leave office until that building comes down,”  Legis. Jack Eddington (I-Medford), who is retiring at year’s end, said of the community group.

Lawmakers approved $350,000, Suffolk’s share of the work which is to be done by Brookhaven Town. Eddington said he expects the building to come down next month.

The town has already condemned the property, and also is seeking plans to redevelop the site. Efforts to rejuvenate the area have also included extending  sewer lines nearly a mile east from Route 112 to Phyllis Drive.

Photo:  The Plaza Theatre in Patchogue. (May 13, 2011)