Teardown Likely for Old Millwood Train Station

The old Millwood train station faces the likely prospect of being torn down, according to New Castle officials, as owner Leo Rotta has informed the town of his agreement to do so.

New Castle Director of Planning David Brito, who said Rotta has agreed to take it down, said that he is working on disconnecting electricity and the water system in preparation. A demolition permit has not been issued yet, according to Brito.

Still, it's possible that the building could get a reprieve. Supervisor Barbara Gerrard, while acknowledging that the owner has agreed to take it down, told the Millwood Task Force that "a particular group" wants to look at using it, although she did not name who.

Attempts to reach Rotta for comment on his intentions were unsucessful.

Rotta's intent to demolish the structure comes after the town's Building Department calling for him to restore the old building or to tear it down. The letter, sent by Building Inspector William Maskiell, was in response to calls from Millwood Task Force members to have the status of the structure resolved, either through rehabilitation or demolition. Some Task Force members feel that the station building in its current condition is unsafe and unsightly.

The old train station has a long history in the hamlet. First constructed to serve as Briarcliff Manor's station on the former Putnam line, the building was moved to the line's Millwood stop in 1909, according to an Images of America profile book on the history of New Castle. That train line, nicknamed the "Old Put," run through Millwood from 1888 to 1958. The line's right of way now serves as the North County Trailway for recreational bicyclists.