Marion Woods attorney says Geismund House is unsafe, proposes town lease while remediation proceeds

Ed Puerta, an attorney for Marion Woods Inc., told the Greenburgh Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board on May 12 that the Geismund House has suffered extensive water and mold damage and is currently not rentable. Puerta said his client pursued a demolition application because the nonprofit cannot carry a property that is ‘‘detrimental, unsafe, and cannot be monetized.’’

The board heard that asbestos remediation required by the town already has been completed, and that early estimates of full rehabilitation run into the millions. Puerta said the nonprofit’s operating budget — driven by resident rents and Medicaid payments — cannot absorb those costs without jeopardizing care for current residents.

Why it matters: The site sits adjacent to occupied Marion Woods facilities, and board members said the building’s condition raises public‑safety and preservation concerns. A designation as a landmark could trigger enforcement obligations under the town code; Puerta warned that, under New York not‑for‑profit corporation law, a transfer or gift of the parcel to the town would likely require attorney general and Supreme Court review and could take 12–18 months.

Puerta proposed a time‑limited lease to the town under which the town would undertake remediation with no rent charged during the work, and a later appraisal or broker opinion would establish fair market rent for a future lease term. The attorney offered to prepare a written LOI or memorandum of understanding for the board’s and the town attorney’s review.

Board members asked whether county or state partners could share remediation responsibility — the board’s staff said it would follow up with the town’s state representative and New York State Parks regarding potential grant eligibility. The board’s staff and the attorney agreed the applicant should provide a written proposal; the board held the item over to its June 9 meeting to give staff time to review state guidance and for Marion Woods to supply a written offer.

"This property is growing to be a blight on the community," Puerta said, and added later: "We cannot carry a property that is both detrimental, unsafe, and cannot be monetized." The board did not take a formal vote on demolition but directed staff to work with counsel and to circulate any written proposal before the June meeting.

What’s next: The board will review a written lease proposal and any information from state agencies ahead of the June 9 meeting.