Smithtown has tapped the company behind projects in Ronkonkoma, Bay Shore, Lindenhurst and Patchogue to revitalize its downtown, including by helping bring in sewers and making it more walkable.
Tritec, of East Setauket, will rely on community input before finalizing details of the plan, Chris Kelly, vice president of marketing for Tritec, said in an interview Friday. The project’s cost has also not been determined, he said.
The development will be guided by the town’s comprehensive master plan, which is scheduled to be adopted by April, said Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.
While there are no definite boundaries for the project yet, the development area will likely be limited to the “triangle” between Main Street to the south, Landing Avenue to the east and the LIRR tracks to the north and extending as far west as Town Hall, according to Peter Hans, the town’s planning director.
Wehrheim said that the area can offer quick access to the business district while being close to the Long Island Rail Road station.
“It’s a perfect location for transit-oriented development,” Wehrheim said. “We’re trying to find locations primarily in or near the business district. And we’re fortunate in Smithtown because Kings Park, Saint James and Smithtown have a Long Island Rail Road station in every one of those business districts, which is a huge advantage.”
Tim Small, president of Smithtown United Civic Association, said Tuesday the group supports transit-oriented development and would like to see revitalization along the railroad.
While he does not yet know the full scope of Tritec’s plans, Small suggested it include ideas such as remapping some streets to make them more pedestrian friendly. He also suggested consolidating town offices in the area into a nearby building on New York Avenue and using the remaining space for redevelopment.
“Community engagement is paramount to making everything work,” Small said, adding he would like to sit down with Tritec officials in the future to discuss his group’s ideas.
Both Tritec and Small say that connecting sewers to downtown Smithtown will be key in creating any kind of development and revitalization.
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