Site of the Moose Lodge in West Islip is scheduled to get a much-needed facelift if a proposal under discussion is approved by Islip Town. A plan to subdivide property at 2044 Union Blvd., West Islip, which now houses an abandoned Moose Lodge, is under discussion between officials of the Lodge, which owns the property, and the Town of Islip.

"The Town is aware of the blighted condition and its surrounding property, and in order to improve conditions, has given the Lodge substantial input on a proposed plan there," said Gene Murphy, Commissioner of Islip's Planning Department.

The proposal includes converting the west side of the property into a residential area where a home would be constructed and sold. The home would provide a revenue stream that would fund future improvements to the site, either renovating the existing building or razing it and putting up a new one. The Lodge would have a meeting room in the building and the rest wold be converted into small offices, providing a revenue stream for the organization to continue its work.

The next phase of the plan is for the owners to submit a final plan proposal to the Town for approval.

While the property is unsightly, the Town's Fire Marshall said the building is secure. Nonetheless, Supervisor Phil Nolan has asked the Town Attorney's Department of Code Enforcement, and the Fire Marshall's Office, to conduct a final evaluation of the Moose Lodge building. If the building is deemed unsafe, the Town could issue a hazardous building resolution, giving it authority to do what is needed to secure the site for public safety until a determination is made about its future.