Empty in East Northport: Old Post Office

Drive down Larkfield Road or Jericho Turnpike and you will notice some vacant storefronts adorned with "For Rent" signs, a possible indication of the hard times the area — and country — are facing.

Northport Patch will spotlight empty properties to foster discussion in the community on what can, should and could be done to rehab abandoned places. This week, we're highlighting the site of the old post office and an adjacent tax office that has since been torn down at near Allerton Avenue.

The town zoning board approved a conditional variance for the old post office to be demolished and rebuilt as a smaller retail space and restaurant. According to the plans, the property will be reduced from its current 16,276 square foot footprint to 8,609 feet and recessed farther back from the road with 28 parking spaces in front. One condition of the variance is that no "bars, taverns, dancehalls, or discotheques" be allowed on the property and that the impact on the surrounding neighborhood be minimized through a buffer and back-shielding of any outdoor lighting. The developer is still deliberating on the project, according to the property management firm.

The old tax office was demolished in December and office space will likely be built in its place.

Who would you like to see take over this vacant property? Tell us in the comments.