Earlier this month, the developers for the Greybarn site at the former Mediterranean Manor, located at 303 East Main Street in East Patchogue, sought site-plan approval for the redevelopment of 3.42 …
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Earlier this month, the developers for the Greybarn site at the former Mediterranean Manor, located at 303 East Main Street in East Patchogue, sought site-plan approval for the redevelopment of 3.42 acres of land. Both the Town of Brookhaven planning board and zoning board have since approved the site plan.
The plan includes demolition of all existing structures, including the former catering hall, barber shop and photo studio, as well as several vacated and boarded surrounding buildings. The neighboring building to the east including Miller’s Mint and the old antique mall will remain, with the construction of a three-story, 91-unit (mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom) multi-family rental apartment building complex, which includes associated parking, a swimming pool and outdoor amenity area, dog park, landscaping, and drainage.
According to the developer Greg Rechler, of Rechler Equity Partners LLC, the development will conform with the neighborhood while providing a much-needed revitalization as a luxury apartment complex. The site, he said, will include all the amenities Long Islanders are accustomed to, including washers, dryers, and additional community kitchens, an outdoor pool, and billiard and screening rooms. Rechler also noted the similar Amityville Greybarn, which has a 99 percent occupancy rate and an 80 percent resident retention rate compared to the market average of 55.
“We have the same idea in mind: creating the right quality of life and having long-term members of the community,” he said during the public hearing on July 11. “We are very excited about this proposal and hope to move forward with it.”
Access to the proposed apartment complex will be from a single ingress/egress at the southwest corner of the proposed development site. The access, according to the developers, will be aligned with the existing Bay Avenue/East Main Street intersection, and existing signal equipment is to be relocated in coordination with Suffolk County Department of Public Works prior to demolition/construction. Off-street parking is provided by 139 stalls, where 1.5 stalls per unit or 137 off-street stalls are required by the East Patchogue Incentive Overlay District Zone A.
Rechler said his admiration for neighboring mayor Paul Pontieri sparked his original interests to bring the Greybarn development to Patchogue. He said he is now excited to build as part of the East Patchogue revitalization plan as an extension of the Patchogue Village downtown. He also disclosed the unique feature for the East Patchogue site, which will have live-work design elements, with multiple private and shared workspaces for remote working residents.
Additionally, the site has already been approved for Village of Patchogue sewer treatment plant connection, and Rechler anticipates beginning demolition as soon as September, with possible construction to the actual building by the end of this year.
East Patchogue resident Joseph Lucas, who was one of two speakers during the public hearing, noted concern over traffic in the area and specifically referenced plans for three separate apartment complexes in the East Main Street area between Washington Avenue and Route 112. He also questioned if a traffic study was done, referencing his inability to acquire one despite multiple requests to both the town and county.
A traffic study has been conducted by a consultant hired by Rechler Equity and is still under review by the county. However, as of print, this publication has been unable to obtain said traffic study. Additionally, neither councilman Neil Foley or Suffolk County Legis. Dominick Thorne have seen the study.
The second speaker, Focus East Patchogue board member John Quatrale, continued to speak in support of the project.
“Focus is a group of concerned residents, businessowners, and professionals who have been working for over 30 years to improve and revitalize the unincorporated area of Patchogue located to the east of the Village of Patchogue,” he said during the hearing. “The development represents a major step forward for our community in terms of investment, quality of life, aesthetics, and the addition of much-needed housing.”
He also noted that Rechler Equity Partners has engaged with the community throughout the planning process and addressed many questions. Although he said they continue to have concerns related to traffic flow in the area, they understand a traffic study has been completed and that the developer is working closely with Suffolk County Department of Public Works to minimize the impact on traffic in the area.
“In the end, we feel that the benefits of the project far outweigh the concerns, and expect the developer and local government to partner with the community long term to ensure the project is a success for all,” he added.
The project site is located within the East Patchogue Incentive Overlay District and also includes a community benefit parcel located directly south of the proposed site, across East Main Street. The ownership of the lot, which currently houses several vacant structures, will be transferred to the Town of Brookhaven for development opportunities. Potential plans for the development of a multicultural media arts center have already circulated, to be filled by the Patchogue Arts Council as a potential new homebase.
“Utilizing the property and existing buildings will allow the organization to offer programming to the public sooner than if they have to build a new building,” said Quatrale. “Focus East Patchogue fully supports this plan and will support a capital campaign undertaken by the Patchogue Arts Council along with Rechler Equity Partners.”
However, if the cultural arts center doesn’t come to fruition, Rechler promised they would continue to demolish the buildings located on the relinquished parcel. He also agreed to setting up an escrow account to make good on that promise and prevent any future costs to the town.
“We are especially excited about the arts center,” said Rechler, determined to make it happen.
Patchogue Arts Council executive director Beth Giacummo confirmed the plans, stating that the arts council is excited and thankful for the new space. She said it will allow them to serve artists of all disciplines. She also hopes to utilize the existing buildings to begin using the spaces as soon as possible.
“We envision so many ways these spaces can serve, including mixed-use performance space, a literary room for readings and talks, expanded exhibition space for MoCA L.I., offices, and room for the museum’s collection,” she said. “I would love to see the collection we build be available to the public for viewing, much like the Brooklyn Museum. We will need a great deal of help fundraising to make all of this possible, but PAC has an impressive history that will attract the help and funding needed.”
Foley also confirmed the possible agreement with PAC in the future for the acquired parcel.
“This project has been a long time [coming] and is something that is supported by the community and the civic,” he said of the entire East Patchogue project, including the PAC partnership. “I am confident this project will reinvent and change [East] Patchogue for the better for decades to come.”
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