Ward House in Tuckahoe loses its landmark status
The Ward House is from the 1700s and is located at 230 White Plains Road in Tuckahoe.
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A judge de-landmarked the Ward House on Wednesday.
News 12 spoke with both the legal representation of Biggest Fish LLC., and Sal Provenzano, with Friends of the Ward House, on the next steps following the decision.
The Ward House is from the 1700s and is located at 230 White Plains Road in Tuckahoe.
It was initially sold by the now-closed Concordia College in 2021.
Lee Lefkowitz, who represents current owner Biggest Fish LLC, says the proper rules were not followed when a group trying to save the home applied for landmark status.
"The village's law has certain requirements that need to take place for a property to be landmarked. We identified a dozen or so that were not followed by the village. In other words, the village didn't follow its own law," said Lefkowitz.
One example Lefkowitz stated was that under the law, the property's owner or local government had to file the initial application seeking landmark status.
Sal Provenzano, with Friends of the Ward House, was optimistic following the decision.
In a statement from Friends of the Ward House, Westchester County and Tuckahoe officials are now working to buy the property and that a letter of intent has been signed.
"Once it's gone, it's gone forever, and we can't allow that to happen. There's too much of a benefit to our county and to our state to have this house really realize its full potential for hands-on living history," said Provenzano.
At this time, there is no clear timeline as to what will unfold next.
Friends of the Ward House released the following statement:
"While we await further clarity on the outcome of the ruling, it is our understanding that because of a technicality in the landmark application process, the landmark status of the Ward House is being revoked. We are heartened that David Chen, the attorney representing the Village of Tuckahoe stated at the hearing that the Village is working with the County of Westchester to purchase the Ward House and a letter of intent has been signed. We fully expect that the final result will be the protection and restoration of the Ward House as we move toward the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence."
