Salvatore Esposito, the present owner of the Octagon Hotel, located at 42 Spring Street and West Main Street, is presently considering what to do with the historic building.

Oyster Bay Historical Society Director Thomas Kuehhas said the building is not a town landmark. "It has had a difficult history and not been cared for since it went into automotive mode. [It has housed a series of automotive related businesses.] The new owner was interested in reconstructing it, but there is some dry rot in the building. They came to us for information about the building. We gave them the Journal we did in conjunction with our architecture show and has information about the hotel.

"They were interested in the history of the building and what it used to look like. We gave them all the photos we had of the site, throughout its history," he said.

A Town of Oyster Bay spokesperson said, "First of all there was a demolition permit for 2007 for the garage portion of the building that had a fire. That part of the building was demolished, under that permit.

"As for the rest of the building, the town has some issues about its structural integrity and we asked the owner to put up a fence while they make a decision as to what they are going to with the property."

This might be a great time for the community to come together to help preserve a great piece of Oyster Bay history.

Mr. Kuehhas said, "We would love them to keep whatever original material they can in the hoped-for restoration. Having this place looking as it did originally would really be an asset to the town. I talked to John Collins [architectural historian] and he said if they follow the Secretary of the Interior guidelines they would be eligible for significant tax credits - in about the 20 percent area.

"Restoring the Octagon Hotel would have a great impact on downtown because it would expand the downtown area visually. Even the effect on the streetscape would be great, in having a restored octagon-shaped building. It would be an architectural attraction for the hamlet," he said.

Hopefully the owners will let the community know what they plan to do, and possibly they will allow the community to contribute to the project, since the community as a whole will benefit from it.

At one time the Oyster Bay Landmarks Preservation Committee was trying to designate West Main Street as an historical district. The Octagon Hotel was part of the area chosen.

Mr. Kuehhas recalled that the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce had at one time commissioned David Lamb and John Collins to renovate/enhance the West Main Street area to complement its being a historic area. Unfortunately it was just as the country experienced a recession.

There was a problem with the project, said Mr. Kuehhas. Landmark Commission Chairperson Dorothy Horton McGee spoke to landowners in the area, but found that some were not interested in having landmark designations for their property.

All in all, in today's climate of cooperation between the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Oyster Bay Civic Association, and the Main Street Association it might be possible for all of them to get behind a project everyone can agree on - right away. This might be the harbinger of the revitalized downtown everyone is talking about.

We hope that new owner Salvatore Esposito will consider reaching out into the community for support as he decides what to do with this historic property. We have been told that one of the good things about the Octagon House is that while it is covered in plastic sheathing, that material has hidden the architectural details of the building, and that they are still there, preserved, ready to be uncovered.

Let's hope the future of the Octagon House is bright and cheery and that someday we can attend a ribbon-cutting at the new restored site to welcome a bright new era for Oyster Bay! - DFK