Southampton, New York, is moving forward with a $25 million plan to purchase and demolish an oceanfront mansion to increase public beach parking. The 11-bedroom property, located at 1950 Meadow Lane along a stretch known locally as Billionaires Row, will be converted into a public parking lot with approximately 40 spaces.

The town council approved the acquisition earlier this year as part of an effort to improve access to the Atlantic Ocean shoreline, which is often obstructed by private estates and limited parking options. Councilman Bill Pell, who advocated for the project, said the goal is to provide more opportunities for local residents to visit the beach, which has long been dominated by private use.

“This is about giving back to the local people,” Pell said during a recent site visit to the vacant mansion, where the pool water had turned green with algae.

The property, previously owned by Frances Katz, widow of New York lawyer George Katz, was sold to the town with the understanding it would benefit the community. Katz acknowledged the divisive nature of the sale, calling it a “very sensitive issue” and noting varying opinions among residents. Her lawyer indicated the family supported the sale because it allowed continued public access to the site.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions in the wealthy Southampton community. Many locals and environmental advocates have praised the move as a rare instance of a local government prioritizing public access and shoreline conservation. Environmental groups highlight that demolishing the house will help preserve adjacent sand dunes, which serve as natural barriers against rising sea levels and storm damage. Bob DeLuca, president of Group for the East End, said the plan reflects a growing awareness among coastal communities about the long-term viability of oceanfront development amid climate change.

However, some residents expressed concerns about increased traffic and the erosion of the area’s tranquility. Robert Adler, a neighbor and retired businessman, voiced worries that expanded public access would disrupt the peace he has enjoyed for decades.

Southampton is funding the purchase through a program financed by a 2 percent tax on property sales, traditionally used to acquire open space such as farmland and wetlands. Officials indicated the town may pursue similar acquisitions of other oceanfront properties to further expand parking and access.

This approach is part of a broader, though uncommon, nationwide trend where municipalities and agencies seek to secure beachfront access through property acquisitions. Examples include recent efforts in Malibu, California, and Walton County, Florida, to expand public access by purchasing private lands.

Despite these steps, some critics point to the high cost of seasonal beach parking permits—ranging up to $606 for town residents and $525 for nonresidents—as a potential barrier to true public use. Andrew Kahrl, a University of Virginia professor who studies beach access history, questioned whether such fees limit the designation of these areas as genuinely public beaches.

On a recent morning before Labor Day, the beach near the future parking lot remained mostly empty, save for a few parked trucks and surfers. Patrick Manley, a local resident, emphasized that the shoreline is public property, despite perceptions to the contrary by some year-round homeowners.

Councilman Pell expressed optimism that the new parking area would serve generations of residents who lack private beach access or cannot afford costly beach club memberships.

“Not everyone owns a house on the beach or belongs to a beach club,” Pell said. “This is something they can use for generations.”