After several complaints to Brookhaven Town by residents in Rocky Point, inspectors condemned the old DEKS at 605 Route 25A. The town also issued a stop work order when they discovered that work was being performed on the building without a permit.
Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner said that complaints came in to her office from people concerned about dogs, chickens and even a rooster roaming around the property. Bonner represents Rocky Point as a part of Brookhaven Town’s District 2.
“My office was contacted by residents,” she told LongIsland.com by phone last week.
Bonner said that the property was condemned (there is a sign now on the property stating this) because the building was inhabitable with no kitchen and the steps were unsafe. She also said that work was being done without a permit including electrical work, which is against Town code.
“Fire permits are very important,” she stressed.
The new owners were issued the stop work orders for performing major renovations without permits, including removing walls as well as the electrical work. She said that the unsafe environment was not only dangerous and illegal for anyone to live in the building but posed a risk to first responders if they had to enter the building, noting that steps were falling away from the wall.
DEKS closed in 2019 after 41 years in business as a bar and grill known for its extensive beer list. Since then it has remained vacant. The building itself, the historic Hallock House, has a long history dating back to the 1700s, the oldest commercial building in town.
Bonner said that the Town is looking forward to moving ahead through proper channels with the new owners.
“We are happy to work with the owners to create a viable business,” she said.