Dear Mayor Natiss,
The North Hills neighborhood is an exceptional place to live. We enjoy excellent schools, extraordinary services and beautiful environs. We value the fine quality of our drinking water, our public services, local government leadership structure and our diversity. We are proud of our cultural heritage.
Some of us have lived here over thirty years and have seen a multitude of changes.
The imminent demise of Inisfada, however, has many of us confused and sad. Our efforts to obtain information about this historic landmark have been unsuccessful.
We are very concerned about this historic icon which is unique and irreplaceable. Inisfada (also known as St. Ignatius Retreat House):
• Represents our cultural heritage.
• Is the sixth largest house in the United States.
• Is a Gold Coast mansion completed in 1919, currently in very good structural and aesthetic condition.
• Was designed by renowned architect John Torrey Windrim who built the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial and other recognized national and artistic features.
• Sits directly over Nassau County Health Department designated special ground water protection area and state Legislature designated critical water recharge area.
• Is breathtakingly beautiful.
This week, the leadership of the Jesuit Order has a choice between bidders offering to purchase Inisfada.
You are in a truly extraordinary position to ensure that future generations may know the treasure that lies at the heart of North Hills: Inisfada.
Mayor Natiss, we implore you to take a stand on the side of historic preservation. Thank you.
North Hills Citizens
Concerned for History
