For the last several decades, the site across Route 25 has been the home of adult entertainment — a topless bar, a ‘gentlemen’s club.’ To many in the township, and Town government, it’s been a problem, an eyesore across from Smithtown’s iconic bronze symbol, ‘Whisper’ the Bull.
Now, that seeming liability is a town-owned real estate asset.
On Wednesday, June 23, Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim met with Town Attorney Matthew Jakubowski and the property owner of the Oasis, the club in question, to sign the contract formalizing the purchase of the bar on West Main Street.
“This is definitely a first in Smithtown… and I believe we might also be the first municipal government on Long Island to purchase a gentlemen’s club,” said Wehrheim.
The larger goal, beyond buying and demolishing the Oasis, is a plan to swap parks with the County of Suffolk, which now owns and maintains controls Paul T. Given Park, for the township’s Bill Richards Park.
On May 20, 2021, the funding approval was made by unanimous decision of the Town Board, releasing $815,000 in Open Space funds to begin the contractual proceedings with the owners of the Oasis. Additionally, the Board voted to formally request special legislation in the New York State Legislature to authorize the alienation of the town’s park to Suffolk County.
Smithtown’s representatives in Albany, Senator Mario Mattera and Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, are fully supportive of the initiative.
The Paul T. Given County Park is adjacent to the Oasis on the south side of West Main Street (Jericho Turnpike) in Smithtown; Bill Richard Park is along the north side of Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge. The park lies across the highway from the Perry Duryea State Building and the county’s H. Lee Dennison Building, and adjacent to Suffolk County’s Blydenburgh County Park.
The parkland swap would create a larger stretch of parkland along the Nissequogue Corridor.
Growth and Preservation
“I am a firm believer that economic growth and environmental preservation can exist in harmony,” explained the Supervisor. “The culmination of which will be a sanctuary for both the residents and biotic community at the head of the Nissequogue River.”
The current parkland will remain much the same, albeit larger, with minor renovations and repairs made to the current infrastructure. Upon the alienation of Paul T Givens Park, the possibilities for the 10.3 acres of waterfront park include the removal of invasive species (e.g. Japanese knotweed,) adding bioswales or rain gardens to protect the river from stormwater runoff, street trees, and new landscaping along Main Street.
Additional ideas presented for the new and enlarged park include a canoe launch, a pavilion with a bait and tackle shop, repairs to the bridge spanning the Nissequogue River, new trails for hiking and education, picnic areas, a playground, and a gazebo.
The Town is deeply committed to preserving and hopefully expanding the current client base of the local canoe/kayak rental business which operates from Paul T. Given Park, confirmed town officials.
“I am grateful that we were able to come to a fair and equitable agreement with the business owner and I’m very eager to provide the community with a breathtaking riverscape in the heart of Smithtown,” added Supervisor Wehrheim.
