Another major step towards revitalizing downtown Mastic Beach was made when the Town of Brookhaven designated Beechwood as the master developer for Mastic Beach, pursuant to the request for qualifications process, in 2021.
“I look forward to working with them on this project and know that they possess the ability and credentials essential to realize the comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment that has been sought after by residents for quite some time,” councilman Dan Panico said at the time. “Brick by brick, and block by block, every action we take is in furtherance of writing a new, positive chapter in the history of Mastic Beach.”
The goal, Panico said, is to create a vibrancy and sense of place for the community with potential for restaurants, housing, and other uses. The plan comes after Suffolk County’s announcement in moving forward with the Forge River Sewer District, making way for development.
The area within the proposal includes Neighborhood Road west from Commack Road, east to Doris Drive, as well as streets to the south, including Victoria Place and Linden Place. The plan does not include the municipally owned-and-operated parcels where the Mastic Beach Ambulance headquarters is located, or the former Mastic Beach Village Hall, where the Mastic-Moriches-Shirley Library Annex will open. Among the uses Panico said that he would like to see are a mix of residential and businesses, like restaurants and even, perhaps, a small brewery.
The development and concept plan, according to developer Steven Dubb, principal, The Beechwood Organization, was overwhelmingly well-received by the public. The entire project consists of 37 acres and 140 properties.
However, one of the main concerns about the project is still the sewer connection and the cost for businesses. As of now, federal monies are only available to homeowners, so businesses could face construction costs of up to $20,000 for the system.
Currently, according to Dubb, they are working through the process to figure out the sewer project, such as whether it will require a hookup to the new county line or if an on-site treatment facility will be installed.
“The town has been great helping us get through this process as quickly as we can,” he added.
As of now, he also hopes to continue to open conversations with the landowners in the Neighborhood Road area about acquisitions. Community meetings are ongoing and will continue. To contact the developer, email: egoldman@beechwoodhomes.com.
“It’s really important to have direct communication with all property owners and keep them updated,” said Elysa Goldman, project executive, Mastic Beach Neighborhood Road Revitalization, The Beechwood Organization.
It is hoped that an environmental impact study, including traffic, will begin by year-end and the project will break ground in a few years.
“We are doing everything in our power to make that the case,” Dubb said of the large-scale, multi-year project.
The overall look of the project, he explained, will be giving Mastic Beach its own Main Street while also building something that is center to the community, including retail, residential, amenities, restaurants, shops, and a community gathering place of some sort.
“We want to keep the history of Mastic Beach. There is a lot of history that residents are really proud of, and we want to make sure that weaves through,” said Goldman.
The general look, they said, will be East End marine with some colonial touches—including cedar shingles.
“Mastic Beach is currently underserved; it doesn’t have a downtown and it doesn’t have all the amenities of the neighboring towns,” Dubb continued. “It deserves it; it’s a great location and it’s beautiful. We believe we can spur changes in the area. The right kind of development can really help to transform a community.”
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Back in 2021, the town released the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a master developer to redevelop the downtown area of Mastic Beach. The RFQ, according to the town, tasked interested developers with creating a mixed-use plan to replace blighted structures in the Neighborhood Road Redevelopment area.
In 2019, the town conducted a blight study of Neighborhood Road and surrounding streets. The study confirmed that the area had a sufficient amount of blight and code violations. The town then sought a master developer tasked with creating a comprehensive plan that would showcase a variety of land uses, such as housing, retail, and restaurants, aimed at replacing existing decay along Neighborhood Road.
ABOUT THE DEVELOPER
Since 1985, Beechwood has built more than 9,500 homes in 70 communities across the New York metro area, with new ones on the map in New York City, Long Island, Saratoga, and North Carolina.
According to the website: “Founder Michael Dubb and son Steven Dubb are known for their innovative and forward thinking in not just selling a home, but a lifestyle with signature quality construction and design for the way sophisticated buyers and renters want to live today.”
Averaging 3.9 million square feet in new developments year-on-year since 2017, Beechwood transitioned from local builder to national leader ranking No. 58 of 245 Housing Giants by Professional Builder Magazine in 2020.
Brand names include Arverne by the Sea, Bishops Pond, Country Pointe, Harbor Pointe, Marina Pointe, Meadowbrook Pointe, Oak Ridge, The Latch and The Vanderbilt, with locations in East Meadow, Westbury, Plainview, Southampton, Westhampton Beach, Medford and Yaphank
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here