Suffolk Plans Acquisition of Property for Artspace and New Village; Will Further Village’s Revitalization with 285 Affordable Rental Units

Patchogue, NY – Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy was joined by Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri, village officials and the developers of two innovative downtown housing initiatives today to sign legislation that begins the process of acquiring property for three downtown developments that will provide 285 affordable rental units in the village.

The county legislature approved two resolutions last week that will allow the county to acquire properties for the development of Artspace, on Terry Street, which will provide 45 units of studio/living space for artists -- and for New Village, which will replace the former Swezey’s department store on the town’s Four Corners and will include 240 rental units.

“Patchogue has already set the standard for downtown revitalization with such projects as Copper Beech Village and the renovation of the Patchogue Theatre, and the addition of Artspace and New Village will bring further energy into the village,” said Levy.

County acquisition of key properties for these developments allows for the rental units to remain affordable, Levy said.

Artspace, Patchogue
The national not-for-profit organization Artspace, working with the Village of Patchogue and Suffolk County, will construct 45 units for local artists which will serve as living and work space, on property on Terry Street. The development will also include 2,500 square feet of commercial space for arts and community organizations.

New Village, Patchogue
Suffolk’s acquisition of nine small properties between Main Street and Lake Street will allow the proposed New Village development to move forward. The $130 million project, located on the site of the former Swezey’s Department Store on Patchogue’s famous Four Corners, will include a 111-room hotel, 30,000 square feet of retail space, 20,000 square feet of office space and 240 rental units – 67 of which will be for those at 85% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) as determined by HUD ($69,190 for a two-person household). Developers said all of the rental units will be for those at 120% or less of the AMI.

"This is another example of County Executive Levy's continued support for communities that believe their future is in keeping the next generation home on Long Island,” said Mayor Pontieri. “These two developments will do just that.”

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