In a tremendous victory for public safety and our suburban quality of life, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board today announced the permanent closure and future demolition of the Budget Inn Motel in Massapequa. The Town previously filed a lawsuit to address longstanding concerns about the property, which was deemed structurally dangerous and a hub for criminal activity. A legal settlement has since been reached to close and demolish all buildings on the property.
“There’s nothing more important to the Town Board and I than protecting your safety and your quality of life, which is why I’m proud to announce that the Budget Inn Motel will remain closed, and will be demolished,” Supervisor Saladino said. “This eyesore was the location of violent criminal activity and was in a serious state of disrepair. We took immediate action to rid our community of this dangerous property, and today’s settlement is a tremendous victory for the Town of Oyster Bay and all our residents.”
Under the terms of the settlement, all structures on the property will be demolished by June 30, 2025 and the Town will be reimbursed for the expenses it incurred during the litigation process. Additionally, all certificates of occupancy for the Budget Inn remain revoked, so the structure may not be occupied. Previous news reports indicate that 15 arrests took place at the Budget Inn in 2023, including for criminal possession of a weapon, promotion of prostitution and assault. Inspections of the motel have led to numerous code violations.
“The closure of the Budget Inn Motel is a major step forward in our efforts to address properties that pose a danger to the public,” Supervisor Saladino added. “The agreed-upon demolition and reimbursement will not only remove an unsafe structure but also ensure town taxpayers aren’t forced to bear the financial burden of this careless property owner.”
CREDIT: Town of Oyster Bay