LIA: Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame For Sale

The building, 58 South Ocean Ave. in Patchogue Village, is on sale reportedly for $650,000, reports in their Aug. 16 issue.

Ed Morris, exective director of the Hall of Fame, told the Advance that they intend to continue inducting athletes and sports professionals despite listing the building and intending to move.

Morris also said that the building is listed with Hamlet Realty in Lake Ronkonkoma.

"In October 2008 we had our grand opening," Morris told the Advance. "It was the beginning of the end for the economy. Somehow we got through the last two years."

Morris said that the monthly expenses of the building racked up to $12,000, including insurance, LIPA, National Grid and telephone. Morris also said that while the non-profit does not pay village taxes, they do pay BID and sewer property taxes.

The Hall of Fame itself, which includes a museum and gift shop, was last open to the public six days a week in 2008 to 2009, says the report. However between the economy tanking and a lack of larger stores in Patchogue Village, Morris said that there was a lack of foot traffic to justify keeping it open.

"I was lucky if we had three famillies come during the week," Morris said. "I thought we would have more pedestrian traffic."

For the original report on the sale, including more history of the building and its museum, read the Aug. 16 issue of The Long Island Advance (PDF).