The property known as 842 Broadway in Newburgh has had several excavation vehicles on-site for the past few weeks, removing dirt and other debris. A reported project proposed before Newburgh City Council would see a new two-story commercial space built on the land.

The property in the West End of the city was once where Dennis’s Service Center stood, the livelihood of local Newburgh mechanic Dennis Derry. A fire broke out and destroyed the business in December of 2018 and in June of 2019, Derry passed away. The lot remained vacant for years and the charred building became an eyesore to the city.

Developer Eli Vaknin alongside engineer Greg Sgromo of Dunn & Sgromo Engineers, PLLC had appeared before the city council in June 2022 to discuss their vision for the property, a reported two-story building, 6,000 square feet in size on each floor with a new parking lot. The first floor of the building was suggested to be retail or commercial space while the second floor was suggested to be for office usage. A proposed patio overlooking the Quassaick Creek was included in the project design. The city council in July of 2022 had approved a site development agreement with the developers Shaul and Eli Vaknin for the redevelopment of the former gas station.

Mayor Torrance Harvey is hopeful for the new development planned at the current parcel.

“There is some movement on that. It is a site that is being prepared, and cleaned for a major commercial development and so we’re excited,” he said. “I don’t have confirmation on the commercial development that’s gonna go there but I know, the city government and our partners have been doing some great work there to remediate that parcel.”

The West End of the city has also seen other projects come before the city’s zoning board. Across the street from the property, the active Hurricane Grill and Wings restaurant and adjacent property has been planned to be torn down and converted into a new mixed-use with residential building.