The end of an eyesore

To put it nicely, Malverne’s former Woodland Nursery property is decrepit. The sagging, vine-covered chain-link fence that surrounds the 100-year-old Franklin Avenue estate is torn and worn. Weeds have sprung up throughout the property’s patchy lawns. The facades of buildings there can be described, at best, as shabby: Siding is peeling, paint is chipped and roof shingles are broken or missing.

But if all goes according to plan, AE Development LLC, the new owner of the property, will soon get permission to demolish the buildings and perhaps begin the journey of redeveloping the property, which has been vacant for several years. Although it is unclear at this point what would take the nursery’s place, there is speculation that AE Development is considering building townhouses there.

“Our concern is, we want to make sure that whatever goes up there is tasteful and nice and not overcrowded,” said Malverne Mayor Patricia McDonald. “Right now, anything that goes up there will look nicer than what’s there now.”

AE Development has already removed asbestos from the property in anticipation of demolition, according to Village Trustee Michael Bailey. It also filed demolition permits earlier this summer with the village Building Department. As of press time, the permits were still pending. If and when they are approved, the Malverne Fire Department will have first dibs on the buildings: Chief Danny Morgan said the department will conduct drills and training exercises on the property before it is razed.

The Herald was unable to reach AE Development as of press time.

Bailey said that there are a number of steps before any demolition could occur. The property would be inspected by the County Board of Health to ensure that it is vermin-free, wells and other potential hazards on the property would have to be marked, and permits for construction fences would have to be approved.