Art Billadello to Vacate Town-Owned Home in November

The Brookhaven resident faces an upcoming lease expiration on November 6 following the sale of his historic tavern.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Apartments

A weathered colonial-style house sits in a quiet neighborhood during autumn, conveying the transition of a historic property. — Art Billadello is set to vacate his Brookhaven residence on November 6 after the town declined to renew his lease agreement. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Art Billadello is preparing to leave his town-owned residence on Dyke Road after Brookhaven officials announced his lease will expire on November 6, 2026. The move comes after Billadello sold the historic 323-year-old Roe Tavern to the town in 2023.

Why it matters

The town previously acquired the historic Roe Tavern for preservation, but relocation plans for the structure have been indefinitely delayed due to its age. This has led to the end of the residential agreement that allowed Billadello to occupy the Dyke Road property.

Art Billadello, 78, owned the Roe Tavern for 27 years before selling it to the city for $800,000 in 2023. The tavern is 323 years old and was historically visited by George Washington in 1790.

The players

Art Billadello

He is a 78-year-old former owner of the historic Roe Tavern who is preparing to move to Florida.

Brookhaven

This city government purchased the historic Roe Tavern in 2023 and currently maintains ownership of the Dyke Road property.

The details

Billadello occupied the town-owned house on Dyke Road under an agreement that required him to speak with local history groups. While the town has decided not to renew his lease, officials have not yet initiated any formal eviction proceedings against him.

George Washington reportedly visited the Roe Tavern in 1790.
Billadello sold the historic tavern to the town in 2023.
Town officials sent a lease expiration notice in May 2026.
The residential lease is scheduled to expire on November 6, 2026.

Culture Shift

This transition reflects the broader challenges municipalities face when balancing the preservation of 323-year-old structures with modern property management. Moving aging architecture often leads to significant delays that alter the utility of associated town-owned assets.

Residents should note that the Dyke Road property transition marks the conclusion of a specific historical arrangement between the city and a private citizen. The change reflects how the city manages town-owned assets previously occupied under specialized history-based terms.

The takeaway

The end of this lease marks a transition point for Billadello as he prepares to relocate to Florida. Residents interested in historic preservation may monitor city updates to see if future plans for the Roe Tavern move forward.