Libby's Lunch sale and demolition on hold as state preservation officials intervene

PATERSON — Not so fast: That’s essentially the message a state official sent to Mayor Andre Sayegh on Monday about his plans to sell the Libby's Lunch property.

The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office, or HPO, told Sayegh it needs to approve the proposed $850,000 sale and may impose restrictions on what can be done with the property.

The state’s intervention could derail Sayegh’s hopes to see the building replaced with a new restaurant. Sal Washah, the high bidder at last week’s Libby’s property auction, previously told Paterson Press he wants to demolish Libby’s and construct a new four-story restaurant and cafe that he would like to see open for business in six months.

Monday’s letter from the deputy director of HPO, Katherine Marcopul, did not say explicitly whether the iconic hot dog joint can be knocked down. What it said was that a review would be conducted “to ensure preservation of the property’s significant historic features.”

There’s disagreement on whether such a historic review will ultimately permit demolition.

“Libby’s is not considered a protected asset,” said Sayegh’s chief of staff, Habib Kader. “It’s not part of any historic period of significance, as it was built in the '40s or '50s. It’s all part of a formal process, given that it falls within a historic district.”

But David Soo, the historic preservation activist who alerted the state to the city’s Libby’s auction, believes the HPO will block the demolition.

“If you demolish historic buildings, you’re left with nothing,” Soo said. “What’s the purpose of historic preservation if you allow historic buildings to be knocked down?

Earlier: Owner of Middle Eastern restaurant buys iconic Libby's Lunch site in Paterson

Marcopul’s letter to Sayegh noted that Libby’s is within several Great Falls historic districts designated by the state.

Habib said the historic regulations affecting the property were provided to the bidders in last week’s auction and that he doesn’t think the HPO’s intervention will affect the outcome of the sale. The chief of staff noted that the proposed sale still needs City Council approval before any contracts can be signed.

Washah, a retired technology professor who also is part-owner of the Kanoon Restaurant on Hazel Street in Clifton, said he was unaware of the HPO letter but said he would do whatever is necessary to comply with the state's requirements.

Soo, who is running for Paterson’s 5th Ward council seat in next Tuesday’s election, said he thinks the prospective buyer’s plan for a four-story restaurant at the Great Falls will be denied. He criticized Sayegh for his support of the plan.

“Mayor Sayegh’s delight over the demolition of an important historic building like Libby’s shows that he is not fit to be part of our National Historical Park,” Soo said.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Libby's Lunch sale and demolition on hold as state preservation officials intervene