After a viral fundraiser to support building a museum on Nikola Tesla's Wardenclyffe property in Shoreham , Town of Brookhaven officials have voiced their support of the project and announced some formal plans.
The property, which includes the original main building constructed in the early 1900s, is presently zoned A-Residence-2 (1 dwelling unit/2-acres). As Councilwoman Jane Bonner , the Route 25A Land Use Plan allows for a transitional use consistent with the Town’s J-Business District. This designation is designed to permit non-retail commercial uses while concentrating retail commercial to "more appropriate areas", and a museum would be allowed on the property under the plan.
“It’s important that we preserve this historically significant landmark and
celebrate the life and groundbreaking work of Nikola Tesla," outgoing Town Supervisor Mark Lesko said in a release. "His contributions to further the advancement of technology had such a great impact on the last century and will continue to influence how we live for generations to come.”
"I've been a strong advocate of the effort to preserve the historic integrity of Wardenclyffe and I support the plan to honor Nikola Tesla’s achievements with a museum and learning center,” Bonner added. “I am happy that the money has been secured for the purchase, and I will do everything that I can to help bring this project to fruition as it fits perfectly in our Route 25A Land Use Plan.”
To go along with the non-profit Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe's grant of up to $850,000 from the State of New York secured with $850,000 raised online, the Town has secured a $400,000 Parks matching grant from New York State for the property and will be working with the organization on how to best to use it.
There are still 17 days left in the fundraiser on indiegogo.com and as of Wednesday evening over $1,235,000 has been raised.
