Port Chester takes another step to recoup 451 N. Main demo funds

August 24, 2023 at 12:25 a.m.

The empty lot comprising 455 and 451 N. Main St. where a 3-story apartment building and a one-story commercial structure formerly housing La Dolce Vita were destroyed by fire on Aug. 30, 2020. (Richard Abel/Westmore News)

It’s been almost three years since the fire that destroyed a 3-story apartment building at 455 N. Main St. and the one-story commercial structure next door at 451 N. Main which was the previous site of La Dolce Vita.

The Town of Rye had obtained a judgment of foreclosure on the latter property for nonpayment of taxes, but the town had not taken title to it at the time of the fire on Aug. 30, 2020.

Because of the unsafe nature of the structure, the Village of Port Chester paid for its emergency demolition and has been trying to recoup that $25,000 cost ever since.

The village went to State Supreme Court in White Plains to recover the money from the Town of Rye and the foreclosed owner of 451 N. Main St.—LDV 451 Corp. of 32 Westview Ave., Rye Brook—and lost. They then appealed the case to the Appellate Division, Second Department and are awaiting a decision.

In the meantime, with the statute of limitations nearing, the Port Chester Board of Trustees held a special meeting last Wednesday, Aug. 16, where they voted to retain the Law Office of Anthony R. Tirone, Esq. in White Plains to recover the money from a responsible party. According to the retainer, Tirone’s office will be paid a flat fee of $2,750 up to trial and including trial preparation, plus expenses. Should the matter go to trial, the village will pay an additional $1,500 per day not to exceed $8,000 (inclusive of the flat fee).

The owner of the property at 455 N. Main, 455 North Main St. Realty, Inc., purchased the empty lot at #451 at a public auction in March 2021 for $115,500, according to property records accessed from the Town of Rye website.