Progress at site of burned-out restaurant
Progress is being made to restore the burned-out Eveready Diner building across from the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.
Town Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia said the site is being cleaned up and a new restaurant is planned.
But the property on Route 9 remains an eyesore nearly four years after a fire destroyed the Eveready Diner, and Spinzia would like that rectified.
“We’re looking for it to not be unsightly and we’re looking for them to go ahead with their permit to rebuild it,” she said. “We gave them a chance to do this so we don’t have to demolish it . ...
“We’re happy with the progress, and we’re looking for even more,” she said.
The right-hand side of the building was taken down recently, and a temporary wooden structure has been put up in its place. The left-hand side of the building, which appears to have incurred less damage from the fire, remains.
The property, at 6595 Route 9, is owned by the members of the Serroukas family, who also operate the Eveready Diner in Hyde Park.
The owners could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but Rhinebeck Zoning Administrator Larissa DeLango said they expect to complete the cleanup soon.
“They were waiting for the weather to get a little better to do some of the work,” she said.
Town officials did not know when an application for a new business at the site might be submitted. DeLango said the owners first are working with Dutchess County Department of Health regarding water and septic issues. The fire that gutted the restaurant on June 21, 2014, was blamed on a deepfat fryer in the business’ kitchen. No one was injured in the blaze.
Town Zoning Enforcement Officer John Fenton said in a recent report that a Jan. 20 inspection found the site to be a “nuisance” that could “become a place of rodent infestation and harborage for vermin.”
“There already exists evidence of wildlife habitation, nests and nesting material, animal-made entry points, animal activity,” Fenton’s report said.
The building previously was occupied by restaurants called the Rolling Rock Cafe and the Double O Grill.