Patchogue, TriTec Swezey's Project
On Wednesday Jan. 5, 2011, "Patchogue First," hosted a Community Forum to discuss the changes that have been made, by the TriTec Corporation, to the original Swezey property, construction project, on Main Street, in Patchogue, NY. This is the second community forum; almost three years after the first and original forum.
In 2008 the TriTec Corporation originally proposed a Hotel, with a multi tier Parking Garage, a pedestrian Promenade, and a Tower with a Community Room at the top, that could be used for community events such as an art exhibit. The possible vista from the tower was flaunted.
Half of the rooms in the complex, were slated to be used for the hotel; the remaining rooms were slated to be condos or rentals. Although ambiguous the entire community was mesmerized with, and in favor of, the original Tritec Hotel proposal. I was in favor of the project! It did appear to be a project that could bolster Patchogue, as a genuine venue.
Details of the first and original March 2, 2008, TriTec forum, at the Patchogue Theatre can be found at the URL Below. http://mapleavenuenw.blogspot.com/2008/03/tri-tec-presentation-at-patchogue.html
T On January 5, 2011 a second Community Forum was held at the Elks Club, in Patchogue, because the TriTec corp changed the terms of the original agreement. The new proposal is as follows:
No Hotel291 rental units (The Devil is in the details! Rental as opposed to Owner Occupied)
No Tower
No parking Garage
In one case TriTec was not able to entice a well known Hotel Chain to build in Patchogue because the hotel wanted dedicated parking; triTec offered shared parking.
A few residents who are currently “Renters,” were in favor of the 291 rental units. TriTec kept playing the "Our Children Card." One Renter/resident stated that his children cannot afford to pay current rental rates in Suffolk County. As stated by TriTec only 64 units would be used as "Work Force Housing" with a slightly cheaper rental rate.
The entire TriTec presentation took on the persona of an employer dealing with a Union Negotiating Team; offer them nothing and hope that they will settle for less! As I perceive their offering; they are not giving us anything that will bolster our mission to become a venue; rental housing does not create a venue.
A woman made a statement that Patchogue is trying to become a "Destination;" she asked, "What kind of destination?" The woman suggested that progress should be equated against quality of life. In my opinion 291 Rental Housing Units does not create a destination, nor does it improve our quality of life!.
Another resident stated that the current parking situation in the area of the Brick House is critical. 291 rental units could generate an additional 600 cars. The only parking TriTec offered was some basement parking; not nearly enough!
TriTec suggested that we let them build 291 Rental Apartments, with the possibility of future expansion. Exactly how stupid do they think we are! The only one who would benefit from 291 Rental Units is the TriTec Corporation! We all know that Santa Clause is dead! One gentleman stated at the meeting that we have absolutely no control over Section 8 placement; he feared that 291 section 8 rentals could appear on Main Street!
So!..... “Where’s the beef?” “What’s in this deal for Patchogue?” Does Patchogue need more rental Housing, in additional to the Clare Rose 140 unit, owner occupied development? I don’t think so. If some spice were added to the deal it may once again become palatable, as it was in 2008.
I would like to see the proposed complex at the Swezey’s location, be offered as a combination of dedicated Workforce Housing, Senior Housing, Condo owner occupied housing and also with provision for at least 20 Professional Business Offices. I would like to see something that benefits Patchogue, not just the triTec Corp.
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Under no circumstances should the Village of Patchogue allow this project to forward under this new configuration. The project was and is supposed to be a mixed use project which is CENTERED around a HOTEL, complimented by Commercial Space, Residential Use and a cultural center for the community. The Town of Brookhaven has been plagued by poor planning which has resulted in pervasive economic harm to the downtown business communities and cultural heritage of the verious hamlets. The Village of Patchogue is well on its way to a total renaissance. This project was supposed be the showpiece of a newly invigorated "Famous Four Corners of Patchouge". Nothing about this project will serve that end. The Village should flately refuse to allow this project. The Village must have the courage to insist on the original design, incuding the tower, restruarant, hotel, art gallery, artist housing and commercial/retail space. Anything short of this will do a permanent disservice to the Village and undermine its redeveopment by placing an inapporopriate use in the very center of the Village. Any project should answer the following question: Will this project make the location Suffolk's "Famous Four Corners" again? If so, it should proceed. A series of Rental Apartments does not. Absoultely NO rental units should be allowed. This will do nothing but provide a permanent postive cash flow to Tritec while doing nothing to enhance and restore the downtown area. It MUST NOT BE PERMITTED!
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