Church demolition approved for new supermarket
Posted at: 01/01/2013 11:43 AM
| Updated at: 01/01/2013 6:04 PM
By: WNYT Staff
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WATERVLIET- An old church is one step closer to being torn down for a supermarket.
A State Supreme Court judge approved the sale of St. Patrick’s Church to the Nigro Companies on Monday.
A Price Chopper is planned for the site.
Some had tried to block the sale, hoping to keep the 122-year-old building standing.
Here is a statement released by Father L. Edward Deimeke, pastor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish:
“In a perfect world, St. Patrick’s would stand forever, full to overflowing with parishioners.
The reality is the buildings are unused and deteriorating, and our small parish community has struggled for years to raise enough money for constant repairs and upkeep.
After an exhaustive examination of alternatives that began in 2005, we determined in 2010 that the cost of maintaining these buildings was a burden we could no longer afford.
We concluded that the most responsible choice was to offer the property for sale, and the offer presented by Nigro Companies was the most competitive.
We are grateful that Judge O’Connor’s decision will allow us to move forward.
The proceeds from the sale of the property will remain in Watervliet-Green Island to help meet the spiritual and human services needs of our Catholic community.”
Here is a statement released by John Nigro, head of Nigro Companies
“I am very proud that two longtime, local, family-owned businesses—Nigro Companies and Price Chopper—will team up to make a major investment to create a much-needed, state-of-the-art shopping experience that will be a catalyst for future economic growth along 19th Street. We recognize our responsibility to ensure that this project is a long-term credit to the Watervliet community.’’
