As you will read in the below appearing Suffolk Life article the county officials through extensive research and community outreach have deemed that the final amount of property that is being made available for development at the County Center in Yaphank is too small for the uses put forth by Top Gun in their RFEI response. That in conjunction with the amount of housing being called for at the site has put Top Gun out of the running at this point. Although Top Gun does not intend to furnish an RFP response at this time they will be very closely following the process in Yaphank and if anything should change and the County deems that any of the Top Gun uses prove to be more appropriate for the Yaphank site Top Gun will be ready to provide a comprehensive plan strictly adhering to the County’s guidelines.
Top Gun would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the tens of thousands of our supporters and friends. You have proven to us and the government officials of Long Island that a destination as we are proposing is not only desired but a necessity. Unfortunately, Yaphank doesn’t appear to be the right location for us. We remain undaunted and will continue to aggressively explore other opportunities here on LI and elsewhere.
STAY TUNED!!!!
Suffolk Life Newspaper: County Proposal Includes ATV, Sports Facilities
Suffolk officials have formally announced their plans for the development of about 250 acres of land in Yaphank, with an 8,000-seat indoor sports arena, workforce housing, industrial offices and an indoor all-terrain vehicle facility called for in the county's request for proposals.
"This is our blueprint," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, adding that he believes this project will also be an economic boon for the area. "This is really going to enhance the image and aesthetics of that corridor."
"The 250 acres are located near a number of county facilities off exit 67 of the Long Island Expressway. While several people had been calling for an official National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing track to be placed on the parcel during the public hearings that were held in 2005, Levy said that option was not possible.
"I gave it serious thought, because I know there are a lot of people who would love one out here, and it would be a good revenue raiser, but it just wasn't logistically possible," Levy explained, noting that the 250 acres are not contiguous, but split up. "We simply didn't have enough space. [The land] was too spread out."
However, Levy noted that in the RFP, the county is asking for an indoor motocross facility to be included in the project. He said he believes it is a good compromise because "it doesn't take up the whole area," but still provides a venue for racing fans.
In addition, ATV enthusiasts may soon have a place to ride legally, as the RFP also calls for the creation of an indoor ATV commercial facility to be placed on the site. "We're looking at an ATV facility modeled after one in Connecticut," Levy noted.
Ultimately, the RFP calls for a mix of housing, sports and recreational uses. The land is split up into five segments. The first, located at the northeast corner of the Yaphank County Center, includes 48 acres, and is the proposed site for the 8,000-seat indoor sports arena. The facility would be able to house indoor and outdoor sports events, concerts, an ice skating rink and other types of recreational uses. A health club, restaurants, wellness center and other similar venues are also planned for the surrounding area.
Another piece to the puzzle is the area located on the west side of the Yaphank County Center. This undeveloped parcel of approximately 111 acres, according to the RFP, is slated primarily for residential use, with about 1,000 units planned. The county is asking that 80% of the units be set aside for workforce housing. According to the RFP the site would include housing for a "mix of income and age groups." The types of housing could also vary, but must comply with Energy Star and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.
To the east of this area are athletic fields that take up about 20 acres. The county is eyeing this as an "optional location" to enhance the "entrance to and the definition of the new residential community" at the adjacent site. However, the athletic fields would have to be relocated.
West of the county jail facility, 60 acres of land are the proposed site for an indoor ATV facility, as well as "participatory" and "spectator" activities, including tennis courts, bowling, go-kart racing and athletic fields. At least 30 acres of this must be slated for non-commercial public use, such as a YMCA, with some of the possible developments including a place for social and cultural events and an Olympic-sized pool.
Along the north side of Horseblock Road, industrial developments, such as offices, manufacturing buildings, warehouses and storage are eyed for 46 acres of undeveloped land in the area. The county is also encouraging businesses "engaged in the development and production" of alternative energy systems, bio-fuels and wireless fidelity systems to come to the area. Additionally, the RFP states, "All development areas shall be designed for access to a wireless Internet access system."
"It's a very demanding message," said Jim Morgo, commissioner of the county's Department of Economic Development. "They have to come up with something well-designed, architecturally creative ... and energy efficient." As previously reported in Suffolk Life, the county received 11 responses from developers to a request for expressions of interest, which went out in January of last year. Of those responses, Morgo stated, "They all had an influence on the RFP, and some had a greater impact than others."
Morgo noted that developers will now have to conform their plans to the RFP. One of those developers was Top Gun Sports & Entertainment. "We want to take an opportunity to digest it," Kathleen Giamo, a private consultant to Top Gun Sports & Entertainment, said about the RFP. "We have so much time before we have to come back with something ... I think, from what I've heard, this is something we need to look at in great detail."
The deadline for developers to submit their proposals is April 30. "Hopefully we'll select a developer by September," Morgo said. As for whether more than one developer could be chosen, Morgo added, "I don't think it's the best thing, but I suppose it could be more than one."
Levy, who said he did not believe the county would break ground on this project in 2007, noted that there are still environmental and zoning approvals that need to be obtained. "This has to be approved by the town [of Brookhaven]," he said. "It's a coordinated planned community that we hope can be a model for other smart growth communities. This is going to be a place the whole family can enjoy. We're eagerly awaiting a response by the private sector."
Steve Levy Office Of The County Executive H. Lee Dennison Building
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
PO Box 6100
Hauppauge, NY 11788-0091
631-853-4000 county.executive@suffolkcountyny.gov CHIEF DEPUTIES: Kevin Law, Paul Sabatino II
Name
District
Demographics
Zip Codes
Edward Romaine 423 Griffing Ave
Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: 852-3200
Fax: 852-3203 E-Mail
1st
Middle Island in Brookhaven East to Fisher's Island
Kate Browning 2 Coraci Blvd
Suite 11
Shirley, NY 11967
Phone: 852-1300
Fax: 852-1303 E-Mail
3rd
South Central Brookhaven Village of Bellport, Hamlets of Brookhaven, North Bellport, Shirley, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Moriches, Center Moriches, Medford, Coram, Gordon Heights, Middle Island, Ridge & Yaphank
Joe Caracappa 1919 Middle Country Rd
Suite 210
Centereach, NY 11720
Phone: 854-9292
Fax: 854-9351 E-Mail
4th
Central Eastern: Central Section of Brookhaven, Selden, Centereach, Farmingville, Parts of Coram, Lake Ronkonkoma, Ronkonkoma, Medford, Port Jeff Station
Vivian Viloria Fisher Dep. Pres Officer
46 Route 25A, Suite 5
E. Setauket, NY 11733
Phone: 854-1500
Fax: 854-1503 E-Mail
5th
NW Section Brookhaven Town Setauket, E. Setauket, S. Setauket, Stony Brook, Part of Pt Jeff Station, Terryville, Coram, & Centereach, Villages of: Belle Terre, Old Field, Pt Jeff, Poquott
Shirley, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Manorville, Moriches, Center Moriches, East Moriches, Eastport
The proposed
project at Yaphank will generate
huge economic benefits, some
of which are listed below:
Colossal
Tourist Destination for The
Northeast
Not only will the Park venues
impact on their immediate
area, the facility will also
act as a tourist hub and feeder
source for the many tourist
locations on the Island. Tanger
Outlets, the wine country,
Splish Splash, the beaches,
cultural institutions and
local events and festivals
will all benefit from the
influx of visitors to the
park. The railroad station
on site will draw fans from
the city, New jersey and Connecticut
by means of public transportation.
Sizable
Revenue Source for Suffolk
County
There are no County loans
or grant involved. The County
will receive an upfront payment
and percentage of all the
Park Profits along with a
considerable tax base.
Create
More Than 1300 Employment
Opportunities
Along with the creation of
approximately 1500 construction
jobs, the park will employ
a projected 1,374 part and
full-time workers in the operation
of the venues. Many more will
indirectly be affected by
the Park and prosper from
involvement with it.
Gigantic
Economic Impact
The $180-200 million dollar
project will pump millions
of dollars into the local
and regional communities,
by means of spillover and
multiplier effects. The Park
will also keep discretionary
income on the Island that
otherwise would travel outside
the area if the project wasn't
built. A similar project,
Chicagoland Speedway, generated
$320 million in facility community
revenue in its first years.
Local
School District will have
Revenue Stream
A PILOT (payment in lieu of
taxes) Program will be implemented
whereby the school district
will have a steady revenue
stream without being impacted
by additional housing and
its accompanying children.
Taxpayers will save on school
taxes.
Project
will be Environmentally Correct
There are no Pine Barren and
Wetlands issues. All building
will be built according to
green guidelines and there
will be extensive use of alternate
sources of energy. Acoustic
and traffic matters will be
ameliorated.
Special
Events RR Station on Site
Using existing LIRR tracks
and building a platform on
the property a regional railroad
hub will be created thereby
facilitating mass transit
from surrounding areas, the
city and states. Fans will
be taken out of their cars,
pollution will be decreased
and a sustainable Long Island
will be encouraged.
