This is FU

On Wed Aug 9, the matter of historic reuse/demolition delay goes before the Historical Commission who will decide whether the 1890 Emma Knight House, an old Victorian house, which has been more recently converted into a large multi family, has enough historical significance, that a planned demolition should be delayed for a period of time, of if the wrecking ball can be brought in next week.

The item was added to the agenda last minute, and the city responded to our request for information quickly, and we appreciate that.

Background on the properties at hand. Since the 80s, the Emma Knight House has been owned by Pasquale ‘Pat’ Teti, and back then, as little as just over a decade ago, a gas station operated next door to it. For a while it was the ‘Gas n’ Go’ and a Gibbs, and for the last decade the empty lot has been owned by Hess, following a lawsuit after the then Town’s ZBA would not allow it to be upgraded.

On April 7, 2022 we reported that the gas station was sold at auction, for $175,000. See below.

Former ‘Gas n Go’ and Speedway Purchased for $175,000

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At that time we could only speculate what the owner was going to do with the site….. But now we know.

Pat Teti, is planning on tearing down both his apartment building and the gas station to build something that the south side neighbors do not want.

A bunch of years there was a proposal to rebuild the gas station as a gas station with a drive through ‘Top Donut’ shop. The building department threw so many zoning restrictions and requirements in the way, that this plan never materialized.

Below you will find Pat Teti and his attorney’s application to demolish. He acknowledges that the property is in fact historical and in the city’s register of historic inventory, but they argue that the Mega Apartment will be built with historical Queen Anne – Victorian stylings that nobody will miss the old Emma Knight House.