Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Pre-Foreclosure Proceedings for Staten Island Landmark
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 19, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 19, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Photographs of the Bedell House, clockwise from upper left: Normal-looking in 2005 (from Tottenville Historical Society), covered in graffiti in 2005 (from Tottenville Historical Society), and boarded-up in 2008 (from Staten Island Advance)
A landmark Tottenville home that caused a bitter fight between its owner and neighbors has entered a new stage of its existence: foreclosure proceedings. The Staten Island Advance reports John Grossi, who bought the 1869 Bedell House in hopes of razing it to build townhouses, is happy to let the bank have the building, "I won't put another dime into the property."
Grossi bought the house on Amboy Road for $675,000 in 2005, taking out a $540,000 loan. When neighbors got wind of Grossi's plans - as he told the NY Times in 2005, "I bought this house to knock it down. It ain't like George Washington slept here or nothing." - they quickly mobilized to get the house landmarked. Grossi retaliated by covering it with graffiti, including "Section 8 Comming Soon" and offensive remarks directed at neighbors.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission had approved his plans to move the house forward on the property and adding attached townhouses back in 2006, but new zoning regulations means needing to apply for another permit (involving a review of historic maps, building records, and more) from City Planning. Now that the house is going into foreclosure, the city says it will work with the bank.
After the graffiti incident (Grossi did paint over it) feelings all around were hurt but now everyone is just tired - some even sympathize with Grossi to a degree. Grossi blames the city, "Everything is finished. The ball has not been in my court for a while. The city is the slowest animal in the world. This house would have been renovated and restored a year ago if the city didn't want to make such a big deal out of every little thing."
Tagged
city
City Planning
george washington
Historical Society
house
John Grossi
landmarks
landmarks preservation commission
ny times
staten island
Staten Island Advance
the city
The Landmarks Preservation Commission
The Staten Island
The Staten Island Advance
Tottenville
washington
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
5 men charged with trespassing in 2 Manhattan manhole cases
Two people who were found soaking wet and smelling of sewage say they went underground to look for jewelry, according to police and a criminal complaint.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 7:49 p.m. ET
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
News
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
By
Carol Chen
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .