By John Tozzi
Tim O'Sullivan, president of O'Sullivan Builders and Developers, said the new building would be dubbed The Plaza at Little Neck Hills. O'Sullivan and his partners, a group known as H.B. Landmark Realty, expect to demolish the existing Patrick's Pub and Claddagh buildings within the next few weeks and begin construction in April.”We feel that it's really going to enhance the block and the area,” he said. “We know that there's a big demand for retail space.”The development may bring new life to a block of Little Neck that has been lined with empty properties for several years.Patrick's Pub & Cafe was a neighborhood institution that grew out of the Irish coffee stand that Mockler family ran at the 1964 World's Fair. It closed in September 2004, and the Claddagh shop, an Irish jewelry store which the family also owned, shut down the following January.Also in the fall of 2004, Mr. China, a pottery store across the street, closed and has been vacant since. More recently, Eckerd pharmacy on the block shut at the beginning of the year and is being remodeled as a Staples, leaving some residents dismayed that there is no pharmacy in Little Neck anymore.O'Sullivan has not filed plans beyond demolition permits with the city Department of Buildings. But he said he and architect Frank Petruso plan to build a three-story building set back from the street with retail on the first floor and space for community facilities, such as medical offices or non-profits, above. The retail space could be for one business or broken up into several storefronts, he said.The three lots – Patrick's Pub, Claddagh and a vacant lot in between the two – sold separately in 2005 for a total of $5.3 million, according to Department of Finance records. The addresses include 252-12, 252-22 and 252-24 Northern Blvd. Combined, the properties make up nearly half the block.O'Sullivan and his partners hope their building will draw tenants that were unable to use the Patrick's Pub building.”It's a fabulous location, obviously, on Northern between Little Neck [Parkway] and Marathon [Parkway],” he said.They have already met with community board officials and hope to file plans with the Buildings Department in the coming weeks. O'Sullivan said he is beginning to market the building to potential tenants, including possible banks, but nothing has been decided yet.Reach reporter John Tozzi by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext. 174.
