Houlihan's Pub Collects Dust, Spurs Sonic Debate [Empty in Smithtown]

As rising dissent began to take over the , a repeating question has emerged: Why isn't the vacant Houlihan's the target and not the last patch of grass on the built-out stretch of Route 25?

Right now, Houlihan's sits on the corner closest to the Middle Country Road and Moriches Road intersection in Lake Grove, directly across from the Smith Haven Mall Entrance. The location is in the DSW Plaza at Lake Grove shopping center with other thriving businesses, such as Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Lens Crafters and DSW. Houlihan's is woefully empty and surrounded by parking.

The desire for Smithtown-area locals to see the glut of vacant properties filled and restored before empty lots are plowed down is big in the area, also clear from the hundreds of comments we've seen on Patch tied to our reporting. And the Town of Smithtown has publicly said it hopes to draft plans that would help speed along the process of turning local blight into businesses full of life. But should laws be harsher?

Do you think developers must be made to target vacant properties before being allowed to plow undeveloped plots?

Let us know in the comments.