The Village of Maybrook will apply for a state grant to demolish an abandoned former garage at 212 Homestead Avenue, across the highway from the post office.

Formerly Denway Garage, the building has been abandoned for a number of years since the death of its owner Denis Keitel. The site includes the garage and an attached small residence.

The village will apply to N.Y.S. Empire State Development under its Restore New York Communities program. Village Engineer Sean Hoffman explained the grant “provides communities with financial assistance for revitalization of commercial and residential properties for community development and neighborhood growth”. Many projects are eligible for funding, including demolition.

The village as yet has no funding amount it is seeking, Hoffman said.

Mayor Dennis Leahy said there is a potential buyer for the property who has discovered demolition costs are prohibitive because of the type of building materials used. So the village is hoping to obtain the state grant to demolish the building which would then be sold to the potential buyer. The grant carries a “match” requirement which the potential buyer has agreed to pay. So there would be no cost to the village.