Clare Rose Inc. Leaves Patchogue

Beverage distributor Clare Rose Inc. is leaving its Patchogue headquarters Friday for its new Yaphank facility, after a 74-year stay in the village.

The company will set up shop in its new locale Monday.

Plans for a 163-unit multi-family development on the soon-to-be-vacated site, proposed by the Rose family's firm, RAM Associates, have been in the works for months. The plan would also redevelop sections of Clare Rose Boulevard, South Street and Railroad Avenue and build a river walk along Patchogue River.

Patchogue's Village Planning Board granted a special permit for a change of zone for the site on Sept. 13 that allows for the development, but has yet to give the project a final stamp of approval.

"A project of this size requires careful deliberation," said John Rocco, chairperson of the planning board. "While it seems like a good idea, we don't want to rush to judgment."

The planning board met Tuesday to review the development and discuss details.

Louis P. Giacaolone, of Ehasz Giacalone Architects, said at the meeting that workers would construct two- and three-story townhouses and condos, along with apartment-style two-bedroom residences on the site. All units would be for purchase only.

He added the developers want to avoid the cookie-cutter row-house look and will use different colors of brick, different window placement and dormers to do so. The development will feature brick, stone and siding ranging in color from beige to yellow to gray.

"The project is not only to make the client proud, but the community as well," Giacalone said.

Kevin Mulligan, director of business development for the engineering firm Browne AE&T Group, said construction would start on the east side of the site, between West and Railroad avenues, with the first three buildings holding about 27 homes. Those homes must be occupied before construction continues and once they are, workers will move south through the site.

The redevelopment of Clare Rose Boulevard, which is currently a county road, would start next summer.  Developers want to make it a village road again, which would result in slower traffic. Sidewalks also would be added on both sides of the roadway that will be narrowed, to allow for larger front yards.

Kelly said he estimates developers can fill five homes per month, and the entire project should take about 40 months to complete.

Once completed, the entire development would hold less than 440 people and 26 school children.

David Sloan, Esq., is representing RAM and said the Rose family wants its name to live on through the new development.

"The Rose family wants to leave a positive legacy and as far as the village is concerned, it is very, very important to them that this is done right," Sloan said. "If it isn't built there will be blight, vacancies and impact on tax payers."