Long Island Metro Business Action (LIMBA) held an informational event discussing the Ronkonkoma Midway Crossing Project on Friday, April 14.
The event, hosted by Chair of the Midway Crossing Local Development Corporation, Mitchell H. Pally, at the Candlelight Diner in Commack, explained the many benefits that the Ronkonkoma Midway Crossing Project would offer to the economy and to Long Island communities.
Pally was appointed as Chair by County Executive Steve Bellone, Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter and Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffery in hopes of engaging partners in town and county efforts in building the proposed multi-prong development.
From 1975 to 1983, Pally served in various capacities to the New York State Senate Committee on Transportation and the Legislative Commission on Critical Transportation Choices, eventually becoming the Chief Counsel to the Committee and the Commission from 1983-1985. He played a key role in the drafting and passage of legislation that brought forth the national seatbelt law and child restraint law. In his current position, Pally focuses on rebuilding the area that is south of the Ronkonkoma train station, and north of Long Island’s MacArthur Airport. The area is currently occupied by a variety of parking lots.
“The project is designed to be a multi-phased, multi-pronged ability to provide three things that Long Island desperately needs at the moment,” Pally said. “First, is a convention center exhibition hall.” Pally expressed that the need for a convention hall on Long Island has been talked about for over 45 years. Many Long Island companies admit that not only is the Javitz Center in Manhattan too expensive of a venue, but it is also far too big for the intended purposes.
In addition, many are looking to avoid the New York City commotion to instead reap the benefits of a similar, more logistically sound center with a Long Island locale. The construction of a convention center will also give the Long Island Farm Bureau the ability to host the New York Farm Bureau Convention— something that they have been unable to do over the past 20 years.
Per the Midway Crossing team’s proposal, a hotel is also desired for construction in relation to the convention center for two reasons. One, there will need to be a place that holds the keys to the convention center. Two, the hotel will help pay for the expense of the convention center.
Roughly three weeks ago, the Suffolk County Legislature passed the hotel/motel tax. This tax, which goes into effect on June 1, puts an increase in tax on rooms at various hotels and Airbnb’s. Therefore, 75% of fees and taxes will be paid by non-Long Islanders or guests who occupy the hotel.
“The second phase of the project is a life sciences project,” Pally continued. “Life sciences is becoming a major focal point in the metropolitan area. We have avariety of life sciences companies on Long Island that need space— both lab space, office space and the ability to do other activities with that. So, our goal is to build a life sciences center using the focal point of Brookhaven National Lab, Stony Brook University, Northwell and a variety of other companies that already exist on the island—putting them all together. As part of that, there will also be a STEM center for education for our young people because the goal is to get our young people into these types of jobs and activities now so that when they graduate, they will stay on Long Island and be part of that.”
With the creation of a life science center at the Ronkonkoma Train Station, employees will have an easier commute and can live conveniently by their place of work, says Pally. Across the street, TriTech is building 1200 market-rate apartments — 500 of which are already occupied.
Pilgrim State, located by the Deer Park Train Station, is also said to be in the process of development, which would give commuters another option, as far as being conveniently close to their job at the new life science center.
“The third piece is the movement of the airport terminal at McArthur Airport,” Pally noted. “As you know, there is a significant difference both as the crow fliesand how you have to get from the train station to the terminal.”
The Corporation has expressed interest in building a new terminal on the north side of the airport that would be within walking distance from the train station. This would increase traffic to McArthur Airport, which has recently been the topic of discussion regarding the conversion of the existing terminal into a customs terminal. This would allow McArthur to become an international airport.
While the airport is an entity of the project, it is perhaps the most complexly attached— as it will have its own financing laws and rules due to the renovations occurring on airport property.
The LDC, or Local Development Corporation, that Paley is a part of, was formed to give the project more credibility. LDCs are authorized in New York State to enhance economic development and business opportunities. Having an LDC would allow for a better way to lease land, provide financing opportunities, and to market and coordinate the various activities that will be held.
This is a long-term, deeply intricate process, with construction eyed for 2025.
“A few like-minded community members saw the [original] project and thought: “this is a monster,’’ Greater Ronkonkoma Civic Association President Sal Napolitano told The Messenger on Wednesday. “We thought the community should have input,” Napolitano added.
Impacted residents have naturally been divided on the proposal.
“I know I am probably in the minority for us ‘old people,’ but I am all for growth and advancement and improvement,” said Vic Barsotti, of Ronkonkoma, “Sure, we will have more traffic and congestion, but we wouldn’t have the LIE or the Jones Beach Theater or the UBS Arena if you listened to purists only. Build away!”
“No. Absolutely not,” said Patty Armine, of Holbrook. Armine opposes the Ronkonkoma Midway Crossing plan because “Lincoln Avenue over here already suffers from so much congestion from the train station. It is the street that everyone utilizes to get to Vets Highway, Sunrise, even the Expressway, so you can imagine the chaos here especially during peak times at the railroad.
“Then,” Armine adds, “if McArthur starts with international flights—forget about it. It will be a nightmare. This will take away from our quality of life. We have been a quiet neighborhood, with a lot of kids too, and building all of this will hurt the residential area severely. Please don’t do this.”
Drawbacks considered, consequently, Pally has acknowledged that one of the major challenges of the project is financing. Local infrastructure improvements will have to be made as far as sewer, water, electricity, energy and even highway modifications—not to mention the fact that skeptical citizens local to the area like Armine must still be convinced of its essentiality.
Steadfast with commitment to his vision, Pally advised attendees that an application has already been made to the state of New York for money from the Long Island Investment Fund. So far, the county has granted $1 million from the state for the planning and design of the convention center. Senator Schumer has also granted $5 million for parking alternatives.
“If you’re asking how you can help, that’s the most important thing you can do at the moment,” Pally urged. “Talk to your elected officials, your county legislature, your state senators, your state assembly person, your governor’s office, and let them know how important it is for the state of New York to be in the lead to provide these funds.”
Pally advised that once the state buys in, private entities will soon follow with confidence, making the project more sustainable.
The LDC will host its first organizational meeting during the first week of May. In this meeting, they will review and pass the different resolutions required byNew York State. From there, the master development agreement will continue to be negotiated.
The county, the town and Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) are currently in discussions on how this project will move forward.
