After negotiating with Garden City's Cathedral of the Incarnation for four years, the Konner Development Corporation of Bridgehampton purchased St. Mary's on Cathedral Avenue for an undisclosed price last week. The former Village's school for girls, which has been vacant for years, will be the site of eight new "traditional Garden City homes," according to Corp. President Carol Konner.

The Konner Development Corporation sealed the deal at a closing last Thursday, July 19. "We're replacing a derelict building with eight traditional Garden City homes. This creates an opportunity for people to purchase new, luxury homes in a Village with little, if any, vacant lots," Konner, former Garden City resident of 33 years, said.

Village Administrator Robert Schoelle said that although the Village is losing a landmark building, eight new homes will significantly improve the property since the building has been derelict for quite a number of years.

"The Village will receive tax benefits from it. The St. Mary's school was not on the tax roll," Schoelle said.

Konner, who'd been in direct negotiations with James Cardone, dean of the Cathedral, said demolition is expected to begin in three weeks and construction will immediately follow. Dean Cardone was unavailable for comment at press time.

Architect E. H. Harris drew up plans for the school building, it was constructed in 1892. The cornerstone was laid in May of that year and by the end of 1892 contractor and builder James L'Hommedieu had all but completed this large brick-and-brownstone building on a site east of Cathedral Avenue, between Fourth and Fifth Streets. St. Mary's soon became as popular and successful a preparatory school as St. Paul's and sent many of its graduates onto colleges and universities.

Last June, Garden City firefighters battled a pre-dawn blaze at St. Mary's that severely damaged the school building's upper level. After two hours, approximately 130 firefighters prevented the blaze from breaching the main building. Boarded sections of the abandoned building have created an eyesore in the community and Konner said her corporation has not had any opposition to the beautification plans.