Suffolk County Weighs Taking Over Shuttered Dowling Property

OAKDALE, NY — After months of what Oakdale residents say has been ongoing vandalism and dangerous disrepair at the vacant Vanderbilt mansion, there may be a solution in the near future. According to Newsday, Suffolk County officials said they plan to acquire the property, once part of Dowling College's campus.

In September, Patch spoke to some of the property's neighbors who organized a community watch to deal with illegal trespassing into the historic mansion, which they said is dangerous both to the teenagers and young adults who break windows to gain entry, as well as to the historic property.

Sean Peterson is involved in the community watch efforts and told Patch he welcomes the news.

"I hope it’s true but I’d have to see it happen to believe it. I would love to see the mansion restored and to continue as a university or college or in the worst case, condominiums," he said.

The county's decision comes after years of fighting with the property's current owner Mercury International LLC over back taxes.

The property is 25 acres and was once home to the Idle Hour estate of railroad magnate William K. Vanderbilt. The mansion has been empty since 2016 when Dowling College closed.

What would you like to see happen to the site? Tell us in the comments.