{"id":4841,"date":"2025-04-17T20:04:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T20:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/s453969799.onlinehome.us\/mica\/?page_id=4841"},"modified":"2026-04-12T23:57:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T23:57:29","slug":"old-k-mart","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/s453969799.onlinehome.us\/mica\/?page_id=4841","title":{"rendered":"\u201cOld K Mart\u201d: Meadows or Muddle?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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2026 Updates: Top most is a screenshot of the most recent pan for The Meadows at Artist Lake.\u00a0 The plan was featured in a Newsday article published on March 24, 2026. (link below). The huge gas station in the plan’s center is an environmental concern to MICA, as it appears positioned above what was once the northern section of Artist Lake, seen in the historic 1959 USGS photo at center above.\u00a0 MICA sent the letter above to the NYS Pine Barrens Commission, which recently expressed an opinion that the project appears to be a Development of Regional Significance. Also of concern is the Short Street access for the TOB park.\u00a0 It is MICA’s understanding that Short Street is a private road, owned and maintained by the Coventry Manor condominium HOA. The park’s parking lot should be relocated slightly southwest below the basketball courts, with access through the shopping center.\u00a0 The gas station must be eliminated.<\/p>\n

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Newsday article describing the recently files plans for The Meadows at Artist Lake<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.newsday.com\/long-island\/towns\/middle-island-apartments-former-kmart-site-g6t7exdx?utm_medium=web_share_api&utm_campaign=web_share_api<\/a><\/p>\n

2025 UPDATEs<\/span>: The April and May meetings of 2024 were followed by two more sessions: one on December 16. 2024 and another on June 2, 2025.\u00a0 Our next session was set for Aug 21st.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The August 21st meeting at Brookhaven Town Hall was attended by the entire MICA board, Longwood CSD Superintendent Lance Lohman, MIFD Assistant Chief Matt Gropper, TOB Planning Commissioner Jim Tullo, TOB Attorney Annette Eaderesto, Councilman Mike Loguercio, his Chief of Staff Victoria Molloy and Breslin reps Steve Losquadro and Mitch Pally. A large formal plan was presented, which contained some interesting features such as a sports field, civic space, three restaurants (two drive-thru’s), a grocery store with adjacent retail, as well as the afore- mentioned 295 apt units.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the developers stuck to the 30% senior (55+) age designation, which the community had asked be higher.\u00a0 They were also surprised to learn that drive-thru restaurants are NOT permitted under the new CRD code, and that Short Street is a private road, making a proposed sports field access route on it nearly impossible.\u00a0 This is what happens when a plan is developed without\u00a0 regular and ample input from the folks who know the location best!<\/p>\n

The three community groups agree that a 50% senior age restriction on the 295 apartments is the only way we can begin to support the proposed project. This will be less burdensome to the school district’s tax payers and student population. To their credit, the developers listened and promised to take our comments back to the property owners.\u00a0 Steve Losquadro also procured a copy of the plans after our meeting and delivered it to the Longwood Public Library in time for the MI Civic meeting there at 7pm.<\/p>\n

After a close review of the plan, MICA President Gail Lynch-Bailey crafted a revised plan by shifting the apartment area and restaurant pads clockwise on the parcel, resulting in dining opportunities closer to Artist Lake, long desired by many residents. She did not eliminate the Short Street access, but feels it would be unecessary if the parking lots were reconfigured per the “shift.” This plan was emailed to all involved on September 15, 2025. The “shifted” plan and the original are posted below, with the shifted plan above\u00a0 the original plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Thus\u00a0 far the plan calls for 295 apt units in buildings that are three stories tall, with 30 % age restricted to 55 and older.\u00a0 This is an improvement from 430 units and four stories.\u00a0 The plan also calls for three restaurants, a large grocery store with smaller retail attached, and a community park on the 9 acres the TOB owns near the dog park. Breslin would build the park and Brookhaven would maintain it. We have yet to see any actual drawings and await updated tax revenue figures. Middle Island Civic is committed to partnering with our fire and school districts to ensure any plan doesn’t overburden our hamlet.<\/p>\n

2024 UPDATE: MICA — and the community we serve — have all been eagerly awaiting a new plan for the large Kmart parcel.\u00a0 Some board members attended an initial informal meeting with Breslin reps in April, and then a follow-up in May with officials from MIFD, the Longwood School District and Councilman Loguercio.\u00a0 The plan discussed at these sessions was deemed to be far too housing heavy for the area– it consists of nine four-story buildings with a total of 430 rental apartments, a small restaurant\/retail pad and an even smaller civic area.\u00a0 The height and scope of the buildings present safety, traffic and school crowding concerns for everyone. Breslin reps assured us that they would return with an updated plan, one that could be shared with the general civic membership and community at a public meeting, but that has yet to happen.\u00a0 And now we have learned that the 430-unit plan has been filed with the Town of Brookhaven!\u00a0 MICA cannot and will\u00a0not support this plan in its current iteration.<\/p>\n

Newsday: KMart Parcel Added to Pine Barrens Society’s Preservation Wish List <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Sunday, Oct 30, 2022 Newsday page 14 story features Frank and Gail deliberately wearing the exact same clothes they posed in more than six years ago when the Kmart building was about to be torn down.\u00a0 It illustrates the lack of progress on this huge, blighted parcel, which we hope will receive renewed attention now that the Pine Barrens Society has added it to its \u201cBest of the Rest\u201d desired acquisition wish list. There will still be an opportunity for public and commercial recreation on the property, closest to RT25. John Turner will be our guest at the January 19, 2023 MICA meeting.\u00a0 \u00a0Read the story here, and check out the video clips, too.\u00a0 Newsday went above and beyond ( literally!) filming great drone footage of some of the parcels<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.newsday.com\/long-island\/suffolk\/pine-barrens-society-preservation-list-sxy8lj7w<\/a><\/p>\n

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As of October 2021, there have been no formal proposals submitted by Breslin & Colin since they rejected the TWO separately appraised offerings from Suffolk County and Brookhaven. The Breslin Realty website continues to show a 300 unit apt complex on the smaller, 18 acre parcel Wilbur owns separately from Fred. A call from Breslin’s attorney in early 2021 indicated that was all they had to offer, and still intended to leave the larger, western section as blight! Both MICA and the TOB rejected this outright. The Town has further said that NO Breslin projects will move forward in Brookhaven until the blight at Old Kmart is addressed.<\/div>\n
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The above rendering was created by former TOB Planning Commissioner Tulio Bertoli, in a semi-heroic effort to design a plan that would use much of the southern part of the parcel while preserving the forested half to the north. Please note that the suggested uses of the larger buildings are just that: suggestions. MICA reviewed this plan in January 2020.\u00a0 Members expressed concern about the number of potential rental units (still to be determined.)\u00a0 But the layout incorporates two wonderful public spaces, one along Rt 25 opposite Artist Lake, and another through the center of proposed residences which would provide recreational and gathering opportunities for the community.\u00a0 It’s this use of the entire southern half of the parcel and the preservation of the northern woods that is most appealing to us.<\/div>\n
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Unfortunately, below is what\u00a0 appears to be Breslin’s newest plan for the old Kmart parcel.\u00a0 A disappointing use of only part of the blighted property!\u00a0 A review of Breslin Realty’s website shows the following site plan for the 18 acre portion of the property, owned solely by Breslin and not in partnership with Fred Colin. The plan is dated September 2017. It bears little resemblance to a mega-plan Breslin shared with MICA board members in October 2018 and Longwood CSD officials in January 2019. No one from Breslin Realty has presented this plan to the public, other than online. It calls for 299 apartments of 1,000 square feet each. This space usually means two bedrooms. There are also three retail buildings, one labelled for Applebee’s, one for Starbucks and one for a Stat Health type medical office.<\/div>\n
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Former Middle Island Kmart site remains ‘barren wasteland’<\/h1>\n

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We aren’t giving up…<\/h2>\n

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There’s a battle brewing over the future of a Middle Island property that was once the site of a Kmart.<\/div>\n
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Developer rejects Suffolk County’s offer to buy former Kmart land for park<\/h1>\n

Town and county officials in 2017 announced a deal in which the county would buy 21 acres, and the state would purchase 28 acres and preserve it as open space.<\/p>\n

\"AA lot where Kmart was\u00a0formerly located at 1075 Middle Country Rd. in Middle Island on Dec. 19, 2018. Photo Credit: James Carbone<\/div>\n
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By Carl MacGowan<\/strong> carl.macgowan@newsday.com<\/a> @CarlMacGowan <\/a>
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Garden City developer Wilbur Breslin has rejected Suffolk County\u2019s latest offer to buy land he owns in Middle Island, dealing a setback for\u00a0plans to build a park on the property.<\/p>\n

The county had offered Breslin about $1.8 million for the 21-acre parcel on\u00a0Middle Country Road, formerly the site of a Kmart store. Breslin rejected a similar offer for the site last year.<\/p>\n

County and Brookhaven Town officials and Middle Island residents had hoped to build ballfields for local youth sports leagues on the property. Under the deal, the county would purchase\u00a0the property, and the town would build the park, which would be managed by a community group.<\/p>\n

County Legis. Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) said Breslin’s asking price was more than what the county could offer. By law, the county’s offer could not exceed an appraisal conducted to establish the site’s value.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wanted more money. He basically wanted the county to pay more for the property. I said that\u2019s impossible,\u201d Anker said, adding Breslin has talked to Brookhaven officials about his plans for the site.\u00a0\u201cThey may be negotiating a development and he wants to develop that property.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breslin did not return\u00a0phone and email messages seeking comment.<\/p>\n

The vacant property, which spans a total of about 75\u00a0acres, has had a troubled history since the Kmart closed more than a dozen years ago. The body of a murder victim was found in a wooded section of the parcel in April 2016, days before Breslin demolished the abandoned store.<\/p>\n

Town and county officials in 2017 announced a deal in which the county would buy 21 acres, and the state would purchase 28 acres and preserve it as open space. Breslin would keep the remaining 26 acres for potential development.<\/p>\n

Middle Island Civic Association president Gail Lynch-Bailey said Breslin’s rejection of the county offer was “very disappointing.”<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should look elsewhere for a field of dreams park,” she said. “What\u2018s the point?\u00a0This is more than a decade of looking at this horrible, blighted property in the middle of our community, and it\u2019s just wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anker said she would ask the Legislature to prepare a new bid for the property next year.\u00a0\u201cMaybe the third time\u2019s the\u00a0charm,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Town Councilman Michael Loguercio said he, Breslin and Brookhaven Supervisor Edward P. Romaine have discussed development ideas for the site, which is zoned for residential and commercial uses. But he said Breslin has not filed a formal application for the property.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re talking about bringing a quality project that would include business and recreational. It would include open space and some housing.\u00a0Unfortunately, this gets hindered by offers from the county, which doesn\u2019t have any money,\u201d Loguercio said.\u00a0\u201cHe hasn\u2019t brought anything to me that I feel would be the right opportunity for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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May 1, 2019<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
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Unfortunately, Breslin\u00a0 Realty has allowed the state and county offers to purchase the western Kmart parcels to expire.\u00a0 There is also this new post on their website, with a plan for almost 300 apartments and 3 stores\/restaurants, on the 18 acre parcel Breslin owns without Fred Colin. A close inspection of the site plan reveals it is dated from 2017.\u00a0 We have never seen this plan before (although it does resemble the graphic we used on our online petition in that it calls for development ONLY on the 18 acre commercially zoned parcel.) This plan has NOT been filed with the Town of Brookhaven; it would still require a Planned Development District (PDD) Rezoning granted by the Town Board.\u00a0\u00a0 We hope to have more info at our next civic meeting on May 16th.<\/div>\n
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https:\/\/breslinrealty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Middle-Island-Artist-Lake-Plaza-Flyer_package-web.pdf<\/a><\/div>\n
ARTIST LAKE PLAZA – breslinrealty.com<\/a><\/div>\n
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Robert Delavale | VP, Leasing | 516.741.7400 x230 | rdelavale@breslinrealty.com<\/a> 500 Old Country Rd, Garden City, NY :: www.breslinrealty.com<\/a><\/div>\n
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Feb 2019<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
Please sign and share this online petition at Change.org<\/a>: Breslin & Colin: Say YES to Kmart Land Purchase Offers<\/span>
Longwood has a unique opportunity to transform a long blighted parcel on Middle Country Road in Middle Island into a Field of Dreams Park and to preserve some wonderful open space, too. The NYS DEC will buy the northern 28 acres and add it to the Rocky Point Forest Preserve. Suffolk County will purchase the southwest 21 acres and the Town of Brookhaven will build a community park there — similar to the Heritage Park in Mt Sinai, with a walking trail, playground, ball fields, gardens and more. But none of this can happen if realtor owners Wilbur Breslin and Fred Colin turn down these purchase offers, which expire March 31, 2019. Please contact them NOW and tell them to say YES! Accepting the dual offers will save the woodlands and move the park forward. Breslin and Colin MAY still develop their 25 acres to the southeast with senior housing and restaurants. But we do NOT want the mega housing plan they are considering with over 500 rental units. This will destroy the woods, clog Rt. 25 and overwhelm our schools. Wilbur & Fred: become Longwood’s heroes and say YES!
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http:\/\/chng.it\/rP9ZDRSLK5<\/a><\/div>\n
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Sign the Petition<\/a><\/div>\n
Breslin & Colin: Say YES to Kmart land purchase offers<\/div>\n
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The Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved a new purchase offer to co-owners Wilbur Breslin and Fred Colin for the bottom, 21-acres of the almost 49 acres they own together in Middle Island.\u00a0 The NYS DEC previously made an offer on the northern 28 acres of woodland, to be preserved forever.\u00a0 If the offer is accepted and the land is purchased, the SC land would be developed into a “Field of Dreams” park similar to the much loved and well used Heritage Park in Mt Sinai.\u00a0\u00a0 Now we must convince Wilbur and Fred to say “YES!”<\/div>\n
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Suffolk to resubmit bid for\u00a0former Kmart property in Middle Island<\/h1>\n

Legislator says officials have increased their previous offer of about $1.8 million\u00a0to developer Wilbur Breslin for the vacant property, which would become a park.<\/p>\n

\"AA lot where Kmart was\u00a0formerly located at 1075 Middle Country Rd. in Middle Island on Wednesday. Photo Credit: James Carbone<\/div>\n
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By Carl MacGowan<\/strong> carl.macgowan@newsday.com<\/a> @CarlMacGowan <\/a>
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Suffolk County officials said they will try again to buy a 21-acre parcel in Middle Island and turn\u00a0it\u00a0into a new park.<\/p>\n

The Suffolk Legislature on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve\u00a0a procedural motion authorizing officials to submit a bid to Garden City developer Wilbur Breslin to buy the land.\u00a0A\u00a0shuttered Kmart on the site was demolished two years ago.<\/p>\n

Breslin last year\u00a0rejected a previous offer of about $1.8 million, Legis. Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) said in an interview. The new offer, which Anker said is “slightly more” than the previous one, will be submitted to Breslin in about a week, and he has 90 days to accept or reject it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have this incredible opportunity to create a community park,\u201d Anker said.\u00a0“We just need Mr. Breslin to accept the fair-market value of the property, and we\u2019re really hoping he will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breslin did not return phone calls and an email requesting comment.<\/p>\n

Suffolk and Brookhaven Town officials last year announced a deal in which the county would buy part of the 75-acre property on Middle Country Road and the town would turn it into a park with athletic fields. As part of the deal, the state Department of Environmental Conservation would purchase a 28-acre section and preserve it for open space. Breslin would keep the remaining 26 acres for potential development.<\/p>\n

A spokeswoman said the DEC is in \u201cactive negotiations\u201d to buy the parcel, which would be added to the Rocky Point State Forest.<\/p>\n

The vacant property has been considered an\u00a0eyesore since the Kmart closed about a dozen\u00a0years ago. The body of a murder victim was found in a wooded area of the property in April 2016, shortly before Breslin demolished the shuttered store.<\/p>\n

Gail Lynch-Bailey, president of the Middle Island Civic Association, said she was “very excited that this is back in the realm of possibility,\u201d adding that the state’s interest in buying some of the land might improve the chances that the property will be sold.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re hoping that\u00a0the combination of the dual offer would be much more enticing this time around,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u201cThere’s\u00a0still plenty of room for Mr. Breslin,\u00a0development-wise, on the eastern section.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anker said the county and town’s portion of the land may be managed by the Longwood Youth Sports Association, which would use the site for its\u00a0athletic\u00a0programs and other events. The group runs sports leagues\u00a0used by about 3,000 children.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey need ballfields. They don\u2019t have the advantage of\u00a0some of the schools that can fund ballfields and parks and those types of recreational places,\u201d Anker said. “Middle Island will be approaching built-out, and if we don\u2019t step up to the plate and hit a home run we\u2019re going to lose the game of improving quality of life in Middle Island.\u201d<\/p>\n

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By Carl MacGowan<\/strong> carl.macgowan@newsday.com<\/a> @CarlMacGowan <\/a><\/div>\n

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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July 2018 Update:<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
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MICA worked with our MIFD to arrange the use of the old Kmart parcel for its 70th Anniversary Celebration on July 26-July 29, 2018.\u00a0 Property owners Wilbur Breslin and Fred Colin allowed use of the parcel. We thanked them accordingly and continued to press for permanent plans for the huge property :<\/em><\/div>\n
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Dear Fred and Wilbur,<\/span><\/div>\n
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This weekend the Middle Island Fire Department celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a carnival, parade and fireworks display — on your property in Middle Island.\u00a0 Our Middle Island Civic Association was delighted to participate in the parade and attend both the carnival and fireworks. Thank you both for allowing this unprecedented event to go forward.\u00a0 It was a wonderful and memorable celebration which the entire community enjoyed.\u00a0 Below are a few photos from our civic website as evidence of the festivities.
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Being on that parcel again reminded many of us how huge it is — and how huge its potential is!\u00a0 We are still eager to meet with you and learn about your latest plans for this property. Also, we recently received confirmation from NYS DOT that a traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Rt 25 and Currans Rd. Previous plans made you responsible for this costly improvement. I hope this relief will serve\u00a0 as motivation for progress at the most significant property in Middle Island.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Hope to hear from you soon.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Sincerely, Gail<\/span><\/div>\n
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Gail Lynch-Bailey<\/span><\/div>\n
Middle Island Civic Association<\/span><\/div>\n
PO Box 658<\/span><\/div>\n
Middle Island, NY 11953<\/span><\/div>\n
631-921-6971
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MICA Celebrates MIFD\u2019s 70th Anniversary<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Many thanks to our members who participated in MIFD’s 70th Anniversary Parade.\u00a0 We looked great marching down Middle Country Road in our red, white and blue. And it was wonderful to hear the crowd saying “Thank You” to both the FD and the civic!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Happy 70th Anniversary to our Middle Island Fire Department! Love, your Middle Island Civic Association. Thanks for bringing back our first parade in twenty years. The carnival was lots of fun. <\/span>And those free fireworks were amazing! All your hard work, planning and execution made for a very memorable community event. Special Shout Out to Sal Mangano of Mangano FH who let us “chill” at his place of business prior to the parade start.

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And thanks to Breslin & Colin Realty for allowing the MIFD to use the old Kmart parcel for this unprecedented anniversary celebration.\u00a0 Being on that site again reminded us of how huge its potential truly is!<\/span><\/div>\n
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I received a telephone call from Mr Breslin today, only hours after sending him an email version of the letter below.\u00a0 As I suspected, he did not recall getting my June 5th email — he is usually very responsive and insists that his staff be so as well.\u00a0 He confirmed that he and his partner, Fred Colin, who co-own the western portion of the Kmart parcel, did indeed allow the purchase offer from Suffolk County to expire without comment.\u00a0 Although he would not state the precise amount offered by the county (which is dictated by an independent appraisal process) he did acknowledge that he and his partner agreed it was absurdly low. Mr. Breslin did have some good news though, and said he would be submitting new development plans to the Town of Brookhaven soon, sometime within the next 90 to 120 days. \u00a0 He did not want to give any details about these plans, but acknowledged they would contain a housing component. I mentioned that they would likely need to include a substantial public amenity such as a park and sports fields.\u00a0 I also asked him to consider visiting Middle Island in person soon, so he could see first hand some of the high quality projects completed in our community, such as the transformed Longwood Public Library and the Renaissance Village at Sandy Hills.\u00a0 He agreed to keep in touch with me about this.<\/div>\n
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Suffolk County recently made a formal offer to purchase the 21-acre southwestern property.\u00a0 This offer was based on two independent and confidential appraisals authorized by the SC Legislature.\u00a0 The decision rested with the owners, Wilbur Breslin and Fred Colin, whether to accept the offer or not. Right now we’re at a stand still, waiting for owners Wilbur Breslin and Fred Colin to make their next moves. These owners allowed Suffolk County’s fair market purchase offer\u00a0 to expire without comment.\u00a0 We think they want to hear what New York State wants to offer for the large northern wooded section before committing to selling, but that appraisal has yet to happen.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the Town of Brookhaven is in talks with Breslin to redevelop the eastern\u00a0 18 acres he owns alone — where the old Kmart building was.\u00a0 But we have yet to see any actual plans for that parcel, and we’ve been waiting for three years for those!<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span><\/span>Here is a link to the narrative that explains the various amenities within the design concept for the Field of Dreams Park\u00a0\u00a0 Final Narrative for Conceptual Artist Lake Park Plan<\/a><\/div>\n
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As mentioned at the March 28 civic meeting, the SC Legislature approved the motion to make a formal offer for the 21 acres owned by Wilbur Breslin and Fred Colin.\u00a0 This is the next in a series of steps toward making our Field of Dreams Park a reality.\u00a0 Many thanks to those who sent emails of support to Legislator Anker’s Office — they worked!MICA President Gail Lynch-Bailey’s remarks to the SC Legislature:<\/i>“On behalf of the Middle island Civic Association and The Longwood Alliance, I am here to express support of the Procedural Motion 3. If adopted, this would allow an offer of the real property value, as determined by two appraisals and the Environmental Trust Review Board, to then be made to the property owners Wilbur Breslin and Fred Colin.
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The property is the 21 acre southwestern section of the parcel commonly known as the old Kmart.\u00a0 That building is gone, but the blight continues.\u00a0 This huge empty tract is a sea of crumbling asphalt sitting on the north side of Middle Country Road.\u00a0 Thousands of people live opposite it at Artist Lake, and even more pass it each day along our Main Street corridor.\u00a0 It has been sucking the life out of our community for more than a decade.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today you can take the next important step in ending this blight for good.<\/em><\/p>\n

Now we have a wonderful opportunity to create a beautiful park at that site, a great green space that will last longer than a decade. Our Field of Dreams Park will serve generations to come.\u00a0 It will provide playing fields for our Longwood Youth Sports Association and include amenities for all ages, including walking trails, a playground and a scenic overview of Artist Lake.\u00a0 We are working on an amazing plan for this space, and we are eager to emulate the public\/private partnership\u00a0 with Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven that has proven so successful at Mt Sinai\u2019s Heritage Park.<\/em><\/p>\n

The support for this type of park in Middle Island is overwhelming and widespread.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I know that Legislator Anker has received many emails of support, including that of the Coram Civic Association.\u00a0 Families with children and senior citizens alike are all thrilled by the prospect of transforming an ugly eyesore into a mini Central Park, right in their own backyards.\u00a0 Please pass this motion and join me in praying the offer is accepted by the owners.\u00a0 While I understand the need for the confidentiality surrounding this offer, I sincerely hope it\u2019s an offer they can\u2019t refuse!\u00a0 Thank You.”<\/em><\/p>\n

http:\/\/longisland.news12.com\/news\/lawmakers-expected-to-vote-on-middle-island-plaza-plans-1.13328196<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

From Legislator Sarah Anker’s Office
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PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

HAUPPAUGE, NY \u2013 <\/b>At the General Legislature Meeting on Tuesday, March 28th<\/sup>, the Suffolk County Legislature approved a Procedural Motion to pursue the acquisition of the blighted old Kmart property in Middle Island. With this approval, an offer of the real property value will be made to the property owner to acquire 21 acres that sit along Middle Country Road. The real property value is determined by two simultaneous appraisals and by the Suffolk County Environmental Trust Review Board. Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker has made it her priority to move this acquisition through the county process with the hopes of turning the parcel into an active park with ballfields.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am thrilled to be leading the effort to transform this blighted property into a beautiful community park, which will provide\u00a0a place for the Longwood Youth Sports Association kids to play ball, as well as create an open green space for all residents to enjoy,\u201d said Legislator Anker. \u201cThis project is a win-win for all involved and I look forward to working with the community to create their field of dreams on this parcel.\u201d<\/p>\n

The county will submit the offer to the property owner. If the owner accepts, Suffolk County will obtain an Environmental Site Assessment survey which will be reviewed by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to ensure the site is environmentally sound. Following review and pending approval by CEQ, Legislator Anker will put forth a resolution to purchase the property which will go to the full Legislature for a vote. For more information, please contact Legislator Anker\u2019s office at 631-854-1600.<\/p>\n

Picture Caption: <\/b>Conceptual design for Middle Island\u2019s Field of Dreams Park. This design is subject to change as project moves forward and after community visioning. In addition to sports fields and ample parking, this concept includes a playground, two raised gazebo\/gathering areas offering views of Artist Lake, a walking path around the fields and many other potential amenities.<\/i><\/p>\n

\"Conceptual<\/a><\/figure>\n

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Suffolk Legislature to vote on bid to buy Middle Island property<\/h1>\n

Updated carl.macgowan@newsday.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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A contractor begins the demolition of the long vacant Kmart building located at 1075 Middle Country Rd. in Middle Island, April 5, 2016. Suffolk lawmakers are set to vote on the sale of the property Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Photo Credit: Ed Betz<\/address><\/div>\n
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HIGHLIGHTS<\/h3>\n