At the Town of Smithtown Board Meeting on November 17, a resident inquired as to the current status of the development plan for the boarded-up former adult club known as the “Oasis.”
The former strip club and adjoining property was purchased by the Town of Smithtown last summer, following the Town Board’s unanimous approval of the purchase at its May 2021 meeting.
At the time, Supervisor Ed Wehrheim called the purchase a “great victory for the residents, who have asked for this throughout the last two decades….” The building, boarded up for many months now, sits across from the iconic Bull statue at 490 W. Jericho Turnpike. The property is approximately one-fifth of an acre. The plan is to use the land for a public park that will have waterfront access to the Nissequogue River that flows right behind it.
The purchase followed years of litigation between the bar’s owner and the town, as an amicable agreement proved to be evasive. Town officials had begun talks about possibly acquiring the property through eminent domain, which finally led to an agreement.
Formerly known as Bull Creek Inn, the building had been used for forms of adult entertainment since 1979.
The development of the property calls for a park swap with Suffolk County. While the county will acquire the town’s Bill Richards Park next to Blydenburgh Park, the town will receive Paul T. Given County Park adjacent to the Oasis property— thus providing more land for the new park. The land swap agreement requires special legislation by the State.
Responding to inquiries into the plan’s current status, Supervisor Wehrheim explained the Town is awaiting recently re-elected Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature on the above-noted pending legislation. State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick and Senator Mario Mattera co-authorized the legislation.
When reached at his office, Senator Mattera said he “expected the Governor to sign the legislation and the project to move forward.” He also emphasized the legislation needs to be signed by December 31 before it expires.
Once the special legislation becomes law, the Town plans to demolish the building and develop the combined properties for public access. The current conceptual design calls for a picnic area, a playground, a kayak launch, a fitness trail and parking.
