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Wantagh district to hold planning session on vacant Beach Street ‘We Friends’ building after lease expiration
Summary
The district reported the Beach Street (We Friends) building has been vacant since September following lease expiration and will schedule a planning session to consider repair, sale or other options, citing high renovation costs and limited district uses.
Superintendent John McNamara told the Wantagh Board of Education on June 5 that the district-owned Beach Street building (known locally as the We Friends building) has been vacant since September after a long-term lease expired and that the district will hold a planning session in coming weeks to discuss options.
McNamara said the lease dated back to the late 1970s or early 1980s. The building requires extensive renovation and is not suitable for Universal Pre-K or other expanded program uses without major investment; possible options include renovation for office space, sale of the property or capital investment.
Why it matters: The building is district-owned real estate and renovation or sale could affect district finances, capital planning and community services. McNamara recommended a planning session for trustees to review renovation cost estimates, potential sale proceeds and alternative community uses.
What was decided: The board agreed to hold a planning session in the next few weeks; no sale or renovation action was approved at the meeting. McNamara outlined a likely sequence if the board chose to sell: hire a realtor, market the property, collect bids, board review, and — if approved by the board — hold a public vote for final approval by voters.
What to watch for: Dates for the planning session, any board direction about engaging a realtor or preparing an engineering/renovation estimate, and whether the board elects to place a proposed sale to district voters.
