Governor Cuomo Announces Completion of First Two Buildings at State-of-the-Art Ronkonkoma Hub

Statement

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of Alston Station Square and the completion of the first two buildings at the Ronkonkoma Hub, a state-of-the-art transit-oriented development in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County. The two residential buildings contain 245 units and are the first to open at the $700 million, 53-acre project site. The development is buoyed by upgrades to the Long Island Rail Road Ronkonkoma Station and the LIRR's Double Track project, which was completed in September 2018 and will reduce delays while allowing expanded service.

"New York State is investing $5.6 billion to transform the Long Island Rail Road, and across Long Island we are seeing those investments pay dividends in the form of revitalized communities and visionary projects like the Ronkonkoma Hub," Governor Cuomo said. "Today we are not just cutting the ribbon on two new buildings - we are announcing the rebirth of Ronkonkoma's core, which will create thousands of jobs and give the region's economy a shot in the arm."

"The Ronkonkoma Hub builds on our significant investments in the Long Island Rail Road and furthers development efforts in Suffolk County," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "The residential buildings and commercial space add more housing options and business opportunities, creating thousands of construction and full-time jobs in the area. This major project will enhance quality of life for residents and boost the economy of communities for generations to come."

Robert Loscalzo, TRITEC Real Estate Company Chief Operating Officer, said, "The opening of Alston Station Square at the Ronkonkoma Hub is an enormous milestone in the creation of one of the most significant transit-oriented developments in Suffolk County. The Hub was a community-based initiative and involved the collaborative efforts of New York State, Suffolk County, the Town of Brookhaven, community civic organizations, Chambers of Commerce, Industrial Development Agencies, organized labor, hundreds of dedicated professionals, and the team at TRITEC. Adjacent to major rail, road and air resources, this LEED-certified neighborhood development is a destination Long Islanders can be proud of, and embodies the best Long Island has to offer. We would like to be the first to say 'Welcome Home Long Island'."

First announced in 2011, the Ronkonkoma Hub, a TRITEC community, is a major mixed-used development that will turn 53 acres of blighted or underutilized land into 1,450 residential homes, and over 600,000 square feet of commercial space, including offices, medical space, retail, destination restaurants, hospitality and exhibition space. In November 2017, Governor Cuomo announced the start of construction, which is expected to be completed by 2027. In total, the project is expected to invest more than $700 million dollars into the community and generate over 10,000 construction jobs and employment opportunities of over 2,500 new permanent jobs.

The Ronkonkoma Hub is located steps from the newly-modernized Ronkonkoma LIRR station that received $5.9 million in upgrades, including digital interactive signs, LED displays, benches with charge ports, art, free customer Wi-Fi, and stamped concrete paving. The Hub will also benefit from the $377 million LIRR Double Track project, which installed a second 13-mile track between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma - a segment of the LIRR that carries 48,000 riders every weekday - allowing for reduced delays and additional service. The Double Track project was completed in September 2018, more than a year ahead of schedule.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner, President and CEO-designate Eric J. Gertler said, "Transportation is a critical catalyst for regional economic development. Today's milestone at the Ronkonkoma Hub, with its prime proximity to core Long Island commuter options, offers the most tangible sign of the project's positive impact to the local economy and the progress being made on the area's long-awaited revitalization."

The project is supported by $55 million from Empire State Development, which will fund critical road and sewer upgrades, as well as future parking facilities. These investments were essential to making the Ronkonkoma Hub a reality. As part of the first phase of construction, TRITEC has built a sewer pump station on the property servicing the entire hub development and providing additional capacity of up to 1 million gallons for future development opportunities for new businesses and local municipalities. The project has also received support from Suffolk County, which is investing over $27 million in a forced sewer main infrastructure connecting the project to the Southwest Sewer District, while also providing Jump Start funding to the Town of Brookhaven for improvements to the public right of way. The Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency has also offered PILOT and sales tax benefits for the project.

Long Island Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Kevin Law, President of the Long Island Association, said, "Our regional goal is to make smart investments that ensure Long Island stays a premier place for New Yorkers to live, work, and play - and this transformative project certainly fits the bill. Today's ribbon cutting is just the start of the Ronkonkoma Hub's positive impact on this community and our region."

Long Island Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Stuart Rabinowitz, President of Hofstra University, said, "This project shows just how important Long Island's transportation infrastructure is to a strong regional economy. When New York invests in transit, our communities grow - and we are proud to support this visionary project that will revitalize Ronkonkoma."

The Ronkonkoma Hub is augmented by the $5.6 billion transformation of the Long Island Rail Road, which has advanced 100 vital capital projects after 70 years of stagnation. Projects include seven bridges, seven overpasses, station widenings, new parking facilities, and 20 miles of new track. This effort will upgrade transit infrastructure across the region to provide the modern system Long Island deserves and is part of New York's largest-in-the-nation infrastructure program.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, "The Ronkonkoma Hub is the most transformative economic development project for Suffolk County in decades. If we are serious about luring young people to Long Island and creating a climate of opportunity, we'll need more projects like this that create affordable housing and leverage the historic transportation investments made by Governor Cuomo. I want to thank the Governor, our Town Supervisors, and so many others for getting the job done for all Long Islanders."

Senator Monica R. Martinez said, "The investments made in the Ronkonkoma community, and subsequently the surrounding communities, will not only create jobs, but it has the potential to increase property values, attract additional tourism and make it affordable for those wishing to stay on Long Island. I would like to thank the Governor and all who worked together to facilitate these projects, and I am eager to see how Ronkonkoma will continue to flourish in the coming years."

Assembly Member Doug Smith said, "Following a decade of community meetings, I am encouraged to see this beautiful modern development replace a blighted and derelict area in the heart of my district, surrounding Long Island's busiest transit hub. I will continue working with my partners in state and local government to make Long Island a more affordable and better place to live, work, raise a family, start a business, and retire."

Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine said, "The Ronkonkoma Hub is something the Town of Brookhaven has long worked on, from creation of a form-based code and selecting a master developer to working through our planning department for the design and architecture of this project. There is no doubt that this will be the most successful transit-oriented development on Long Island. I want to thank the Governor and New York State for their support of this project."

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