Huntington Residents React To Proposed $24M Hampton Inn & Suites

HUNTINGTON, NY — A $24 million Hampton Inn & Suites hotel was proposed to replace the Old Huntington Town Hall building at 227 Main St., Huntington. The 80-room hotel project will likely yield 100 construction jobs and 14 permanent jobs for Long Islanders, Long Island Business News reported in February.

Patch asked Huntington residents how they feel about the proposed hotel. Responses were a mixed bag, though most were against the planned redevelopment. Here's what people are saying.

"I think it’s a great idea," one resident wrote. "Creates jobs and helps local businesses. Nice to see!"

Another called it "completely absurd," and said "A list of who on the town board voted for it would be nice to distribute, so we can get rid of them. Way too big, totally inadequate parking since they have none, and made a deal somehow to use the town lot across the street."

Someone else against the proposal said it's a "plain disgrace."

"Town officials really pulled the wool over our eyes calling it a 'boutique hotel.' That is a very narrow area of 25A and a major conduit in and out of town. The extra traffic will be unreal."

"There has been a lot of negative response to this hotel proposal," another person wrote. "The biggest complaint I've been hearing and reading about is the bad parking and traffic situations that this hotel will cause in Huntington Village. Yes, Huntington could use a hotel, and I think this is the perfect location. However, the town does need to address the concerns of its residents first. I personally think that this proposal is a great way to preserve the historic Town Hall so Huntington's history doesn't waste away."

Someone else said the hotel would be a nice addition to the town.

"There is no where for friends and family to stay," she wrote. "It is a great location and a quick walk to restaurants, the Paramount and other places."

A resident against the hotel said they'd never support it.

"I will also remember those running the Town who did support and approve it when election time comes around. I do not care for a franchise hotel/motel in the Village. I agree that we can use more rental rooms, but it should not be located in the Village. It's a disgusting thought!"

Someone else called it a "short-term solution to one problem (increasing the tax base) while creating a long-term problem down the road (absolutely no need for this size hotel in Huntington)."

Another commenter is waiting to see how the hotel looks before drawing conclusions.

"If the architecture is in keeping with the town, no problem," they wrote. "If it's an ugly modern building, I'd hate to see that. I've never understood why Citibank was allowed to put their ugly building on Main Street."

A Huntington resident said the Village does not need the hotel.

"They are turning our once quaint small village into MINI MANHATTAN, hate the idea," she said. "The buildings are already becoming too tall in our town - it isn't progress - it is unnecessary. Once Panera was allowed to move in that was it - anticipating more of the same in the coming years, and it will be Disneyland within the next 10 years or less."

How do you feel about the proposed hotel? Sound off in the comments.