Residents Troubled by National Guard Relocation

The Patchogue armory will soon be vacant, as the local National Guard unit is transferred to a new facility in Farmingdale this fall, and village residents and businesses say they're sad to see the area service group go.

"We're sorry to see it happen," said Gail Hoag, executive director of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce."It means our local servicemen and women are giong to be traveling further."

It also means Patchogue businesses will lose the activity from the soldiers stationed at the armory, located at 100 Barton Ave., Hoag added.

"There are a lot of small businesses in the area," she said. "It's a pretty busy place and in this economy, all business is important."

The Patchogue armory is one of six in New York that will be closed, with troops relocating to the new $86 million Armed Forces Reserve Center in Farmingdale. The new site will also host Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Naval Reserve components, along with the National Guard.

The Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure Committee said in a statement the new Farmingdale site is one of three of its kind, and was chosen after research indicated it was the best place to "optimize the reserve component's ability to recruit and retain soldiers."

"We need new, updated facilities," said Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, public affairs officer for the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs. "Some of these buildings are very old and cost a lot to maintain."

Patchogue resident and retired National Guardsman Jay Dayton, who spent time stationed at the local armory, said he's disappointed to see the troops leave the area. "Their presence is important," Dayton said. "The unit's been there all my life. I can't see why they're moving it."

Fanning said the Patchogue armory building will most likely be turned over to the New York State Office of General Services once it is vacated. After that, the site could be auctioned off or given to the town.

Hoag said she's concerned about the vacancy because the building is in a residential area. "I don't like empty buildings," she added.

Some area companies also said they're worried about losing business because of the unit's departure.

"A lot of people come here from the armory," said the manager of a Subway restaurant. "Even if it affects one percent of our business, that's a lot in this economy."

Fanning said most Patchogue unit members should continue to shop and eat locally, dulling the effect on local businesses.

"Duty often takes you to another unit," he said. "Soldiers often live in one community and report to other units across the state."

There is no precise date for the relocation, but Fanning said it should happen before the end of the fall season.