Op-Ed: Letter to Mayor and Trustees on New Village Project

Dear Mayor and Village Trustees:

I would like to share my thoughts about the “New Village Project” that will be voted on Jan. 24th. As I understand it the new plan calls for 291 rental units instead of 240 with no hotel. This new plan is a $100 million dollar investment in our community, and with the updates to the sewer system underway, the village will have no problem supporting a project of this size.

I SAY BUILD IT, APPROVE the NEW VILLAGE PROJECT – it’s time for action, when many areas of this country are suffering we have this amazing opportunity – the board would be crazy to not VOTE YES! Keep the momentum going, artists that did not qualify for Artspace, empty-nesters, young professionals are looking for a cool place to live.

The VILLAGE BOARD needs to approve this project with the conditions that it must have as much new parking as possible and the infrastructure in place so a majority of the rentals could go Co-Op and be owner occupied in the future. Most of today’s young folks need to rent and save over a longer period of time to purchase a home. If the rentals can be purchase in the future it will keep young professionals in the urban center, and then as families expand they will purchase in the surrounding area. Also the project must have a wireless hotspot in the gathering spots and have as many sustainable materials and procedures in place, as possible. LED projection lighting so the urban center can be a destination during all holidays would be a plus.

But after the approval of the “New Village Project” the VILLAGE BOARD needs to immediately do four things.

FIRST, start working on establishing a committee that’s purpose is to secure funds for additional parking and reconfiguring current parking. Possibly even raising funds to purchase properties for new parking and or parking structures, we have a fabulous grants committee with folks from the Village, Chamber, Foundation, and Local Government working together to secure funds, let’s expand that group and make it a priority.

SECOND, establish a committee to review locations to build a hotel in the future and PESTER the hotel builders so we are the first to get a hotel when the economy improves [25 different companies were mentioned at the Elks club presentation, pester them just like Artspace was pestered]. There are many properties that would be great for a hotel. Conversations need to take place with the property owners to see what could work; I personally would love to see a hotel on the River or by the bay and possibly a couple high-end Bed and Breakfasts would be fantastic. As owner of Patchogue.com I hate to have to direct folks that contact me weekly to the Long Island Expressway or to a hotel by the airport to stay.

THIRDLY the Village also needs to establish a public relations committee to tell the world about ALL THAT IS GOOD in our community of Patchogue. For example we need to shout loudly about: the 56,000 sq. ft. YMCA, two colleges, Performing Arts Theatre, Artspace Work Live Lofts, brand new Fire Island National Seashore Headquarters and Ferry Terminal, Patchogue River and the boating, Fire Island and the Ocean Beaches, Davis Park, Ocean Ridge, Leja Beach and Watch Hill. We need to talk about life on Great South Bay, public park land on the bay that hosts music festivals, power and sail boat races. We have great homes and great history. We have access to all types of transportation [air, sea, train & car]. We have great places to dine, dance, party and shop. The “ARTS VIBE” is growing by leaps and bounds, plus we are located half way between Manhattan and the Hamptons. I could keep going but I am sure you know the good solid base that we have to work with; we just need to share a clear vision of all that Patchogue Village has to offer.

FOURTHLY, let’s expand on our business development efforts. What is the future vision of Patchogue Village? From all the studies, what does a successful downtown or urban center have in it today and for the future, what will makes it sustainable? Then let’s put those businesses together with spaces in the village. Let’s use the BID Interactive map, make the map open to the public, where it lists all the spaces and tell people what we are looking for, what types of businesses are needed, and show them the spaces we have. The social media phenomenon if done right could sell Patchogue to all potential businesses.

Although I did not agree with former Mayor Keegan’s feelings at the Elks club presentation, he did mention one thing that sums up my thoughts. He mentioned how when he was in office he solved the problem of the Lace Mill, but then created a problem to solve with the vacant old Sweezey Building that he passed on to the current board. The “New Village Project” will not solve all the issues or fill all the wants, but it is a huge step just like the “Lace Mill”. Please VOTE YES to the “New Village Project”, and let’s keep moving forward.

Thank you so much for your time, hard work and dedication to Patchogue.

With Highest Regards;
Kelleen Guyer

Patchogue Patch encourages our readers, writers, political officials and anyone in the Patchogue-Medford area to submit their personal views on current events and issues as articles for our Opinion section. Articles submitted should not exceed 500 words, and all submissions will be considered. Please note that these pieces are not necessarily representative of the opinions of Patchogue Patch and represent that of the author. Submissions should be sent via email to michael@patch.com