The wait is over for the Hoffman Center, which is a 155-acre nature preserve and wildlife sanctuary in Muttontown that was established in 1995 when it was saved from development into a 57-home subdivision. The center's long-standing litigation against A.G. Wetzel Construction Co. was recently settled.

According to officials from the Hoffman Center, A.G. Wetzel was hired as the general contractor for the renovation and restoration of several historical buildings located at the Hoffman Center property. After almost five years on the job, A.G. Wetzel abruptly resigned and Hoffman Center thereafter commenced an arbitration seeking damages for A.G. Wetzel's failure to perform and for breach of warranty. After considering the evidence, the arbitration panel rendered an award in favor of Hoffman Center and the arbitration award was confirmed in a state court judgment in the approximate amount of $660,000.

Thereafter, Hoffman Center brought a new action in New York State Supreme Court, Suffolk County, seeking to hold the principal of A.G. Wetzel Construction, Anton Wetzel, and others, liable for the judgment. After more than three years of litigation, and protracted negotiation, the parties reached a settlement whereby Hoffman Center received title to commercial property located in Huntington, and other valuable consideration, although all of the respondents denied liability.

According to Hoffman Center founder and President Ursula Niarakis, "After our prolonged and persistent effort to address the damage we believed A.G. Wetzel Construction caused, we are delighted to resolve this matter in a way that will enable Hoffman Center to recover a significant portion of its loss."

Originally the Hoffman property was the estate of the Brewster family. The preserve retains a Georgian manor house as well as other estate buildings.

During the 1970s the property was run as a golf course, Charter Oaks, which then became Fox Run. When it applied for a subdivision to develop the property, it was approved but never came to fruition as the parties never acted on it. As time passed it was no longer within the zoning consideration and went into bankruptcy. This was the time of the Savings and Loan scandal that hit the United States. The Resolution Trust created by the federal government auctioned off the estate, according to Muttontown village clerk Vivien Van Wagner. The Hoffman Foundation, run by Ursula and Bill Niarakis, bought it.