Ten years after the Albanese Organization started construction of the transformative Wyandanch Village project on the north side of the Wyandanch Long Island Rail Road station, the company has broken ground on the south side of the tracks.
The newest building that furthers the Wyandanch Rising initiative is a $140 million mixed-use building at the corner of Straight Path and Long Island Avenue. The five-story project, the first in the development’s Phase 2, will bring 218 affordable apartments over about 6,400 square feet of community facility space to be leased at below-market rents to organizations providing services to the neighborhood.
The development known as “Building L” will bring 19 studios, 99 one-bedroom, 79 two-bedroom, and 20 three-bedroom rental apartments, plus one unit for a superintendent. Seven apartments will be set aside for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with services provided by Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE).
The income-restricted residences at 300 Long Island Ave. will be rented to households and families with incomes ranging from 30 percent to 80 percent of the area median income, according to the Garden City-based development firm. Amenities will include an on-site laundry facility, community room, and exercise room as well as free broadband internet. The development will also provide 177 on-site parking spaces.
It’s been a long road to get to this point in the massive redevelopment. After Wyandanch Rising started with conversations among community members some two decades ago, the project advanced in 2011, when Albanese was tapped as master developer by the Town of Babylon to reimagine 40 acres of blighted properties around the LIRR station. To help move it forward, the Town of Babylon assembled more than 70 properties and orchestrated a land swap with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that allowed construction of a 920-space commuter parking garage to clear the way for the development.
The company began construction on the first building in 2013 and a decade later, the project aimed at revitalizing one of Long Island’s most distressed neighborhoods continues to progress. So far, Albanese has delivered four residential buildings with a total of 395 apartments, about 35,000 square feet of retail space, a community resource center and a community plaza with a seasonal ice-skating rink.
“The Wyandanch Rising initiative has been a true testament to the power of collaboration between public and private sectors, community organizations, and residents,” Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer said in a written statement. “It has been a beacon of hope and progress, breathing new life into the heart of our community and it serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when we come together with a shared vision and determination to create a better future for all our residents.”
And though the progress on the north side of the LIRR station has been well-received by the community, some had wondered when area on the south side of the tracks would get some attention. The redevelopment’s newest project answers that question. Still to come on the south side, the town is planning a greenspace and park, with a playground, community garden and dog run. Just east of that, Albanese is planning to build about 70 for-sale townhomes.
Like the previous Wyandanch developments, the new building is designed by Salvatore Coco of Melville-based Beatty Harvey Coco Architects with engineering provided by Woodbury-based Cameron Engineering & Associates. Other firms involved in the project include EMTEC Consulting Engineers, general contractor A3 Construction and structural engineers Mulhern & Kulp.
Financing and other support came from the state’s Homes and Community Renewal agency, the Babylon Industrial Development Agency, the state’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, PNC Bank and Chase Bank.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who was instrumental in advancing the Wyandanch Rising effort when he was Babylon supervisor, said the new building is about more than just creating homes for residents.
“It’s an opportunity to create a thriving neighborhood and a brighter future for the Wyandanch community,” Bellone said. “Being able to afford a place to call home should not be a luxury reserved for a select few. Through our Wyandanch Rising development we are able to make the dream of having an affordable place to live a reality for dozens of families.”
The newest building in the Wyandanch Village redevelopment is expected to be completed within three years.
“Marketing of the apartments is scheduled to begin during the latter half of 2025,” said Ellen Kackmann, senior vice president of Affordable and Workforce Housing for the Albanese Organization. “Applications for residency will be accepted, reviewed for completeness, and included in a public lottery.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said the newest Wyandanch Village development builds on “years of progress” by her agency and its partners.
“This development will provide safe, modern, and supportive homes in an active and thriving community,” Visnauskas said. “Building L is the type of housing we are prioritizing on Long Island and throughout the state under Governor Hochul’s leadership as we work to expand the housing supply and make a positive impact on our environment and our economy.”
Meanwhile, the overall Wyandanch Village revitalization has plenty more on tap. Albanese will be developing a 100,000-square-foot health and wellness center building to be owned by the town, with about 65,000 square feet occupied by the YMCA of Long Island and the rest occupied by Sun River Health. The project will be located just east of the plaza on the north side of the station. The company is also planning another apartment building on the north side, to be constructed on the existing gravel and dirt lot between Straight Path and Park Drive.
Russell Albanese, chairman of the Albanese Organization, told LIBN there’s another 10 years of projects to complete Wyandanch Village.
“We are proud to continue working with our public partners and lenders to plan and develop desperately needed affordable and workforce housing for Long Island residents, while providing job opportunities and other economic benefits for the community,” Albanese said.
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David Winzelberg
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