$1B Ronkonkoma Hub development, now known as Station Yards, shifts retail space to build a ‘live-work-play’ community near LIRR station

A $1 billion Ronkonkoma development expected to help revitalize a stagnant business district near the hamlet’s Long Island Rail Road station is getting a new name, as its East Setauket-based developer announced revised plans intended to make the complex more spacious for residents and shoppers.

Known as the Ronkonkoma Hub since planning for it began more than a decade ago, the rechristened Station Yards housing-retail-office project has been “reimagined” by developer Tritec Real Estate as consumers and workers alter their post-coronavirus lifestyles and work habits, company officials told Newsday.

“We are not looking to create Disneyland with national brands,” Jim Coughlan said. “We’d like to have local restaurateurs, we’d like to have local providers of services and we’d like them to create, as many of them have across Long Island, truly authentic Long Island experiences for this new community.”

Tritec’s strategy shift was applauded by Thomas P. LaSalvia, a senior economist with Moody’s Analytics in Manhattan. He said successful developments follow a “live-work-play” model similar to a traditional downtown that includes homes, grocery stores and entertainment.

Read the full article in Newsday.