By Joe Anuta
The operator of a century-old Fresh Meadows horse stable needs to either pony up $60,000 soon or ride into the sunset.
The owner of the property, the Western Riding Club, plans to finalize a sale Sunday to an unidentified third party, according to his lawyer, Jeff Schwartz.
A group of civic leaders and state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) gathered last week to show support for the anachronistic oddity, which was grandfathered into the current zoning laws.
Avella has filed an application with the city Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking to get the small stable landmarked for its historic value. It was already rejected once for what the commission deemed a lack of architectural integrity, but if the commission considers the second request, the stable cannot be torn down. That may not help the current tenant, however.
Joy Tirado, who operates the stable, is trying to stop the sale by collecting signatures for support, drumming up the $60,000 deposit and then exercising the right of first refusal outlined in her lease.
But she admits it is a long shot.
“Everyone is sad to see it in jeopardy. With 10 business days to come up with a down payment, it’s highly unlikely,” said Tirado, who only pays the $600 to $700 in rent each month with the help of family and friends.
Theoretically Tirado would have to make a firm offer by Sunday, pay the $60,000 at the signing of the contract then a total of $800,000 by closing in August to take control of the 5,246-square-foot property, which contains a small area for the horses to run, the stable and a house. If she does not come up with the money by Sunday, though, she has 60 days to vacate the property.
She said the loss of the stable, which currently houses seven horses and is located at 169-38 Pidgeon Meadow Road, would be a loss for the community.
“We’ve had kids here from Day 1 who still come back. We have senior citizens who come here, and have cancer patients who started coming here after their treatments. Basically, what we do here is we teach to love [the horses] and respect them with a gentle hand.”
But property owner John Lightstone, who lives in a one-family house next to the stable, said through his lawyer that he just wants to simplify his life.
According to his lawyer, the 87-year-old has a heart condition and has owned the property for three decades. He now wants to move on.
“Mr. Lightstone, for most of his life, has gone out of his way to make sure there has been some kind of equestrian activity here because he likes horses,” Schwartz said.
It was not clear should the sale proceed whether the new owners would tear down the stable or leave it standing.
The stable is registered with the city Department of Health, according to Schwartz.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has responded to seven complaints about the treatment of the horses and the condition of the stable since 2007, but a representative said the society found no violations upon each inspection.
An online petition can be signed at ipetitions.com/petition/help-save-our-barn. Money can be donated at fundanything.com/en/campaigns/help-save-our-barn.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail at januta@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
