Dear Atlantic Beach Residents,

We’re writing to address recent news coverage pertaining to a lawsuit filed against the Village by Chabad Lubavitch of the Beaches, Inc. regarding our efforts to acquire two parcels of property at 2025 and 2035 Park Street properties.

For some time, the Village sought to buy the properties to create a year-round community center with outdoor recreational space along with other public uses. While the Village was working to acquire the properties through the eminent domain process, 2025 Park Avenue was purchased in late 2021 by Chabad Lubavitch of the Beaches, Inc.  Given the property’s proximity to Village Hall and other Village-owned land and the longstanding desire by many residents for such a facility, the Village commenced an eminent domain process acting under authority granted to the Village by New York State law.

Eminent domain is a legal procedure conducted in state court that ensures that whenever land is acquired for public use by a federal, state, or local government, the property’s owners are fairly compensated for the value of the property.

Chabad Lubavitch of the Beaches has alleged in its lawsuit that the Village’s efforts to acquire 2025 Park Avenue was motivated by discrimination.  We strongly deny this accusation and will defend the actions we have taken on behalf of all our residents in the coming days and weeks.

In a community that comes alive in the summer months, yet is home to thousands of individuals year-round, we know a community center that is open 12 months of the year will be a welcome addition and provide meaningful value for all residents. We remain dedicated to improving the Village of Atlantic Beach for all residents; we reaffirm our dedication to fairness for all. We look forward to a speedy resolution of this matter and completion of a facility intended to enhance the community’s well-being and connectedness.

Sincerely,

George Pappas

Mayor

Village of Atlantic Beach