Suffolk Town Condemns Bus Depot To Make Way For Retail Hub: Report

RONKONKOMA, NY — The Brookhaven Town Industrial Development Agency has condemned a bus depot in order to move forward with the second phase of the $800-million Ronkonkoma Hub housing and commercial project, according to a report.

The board voted to take the 2.2-acre Hawkins Avenue property, owned by North Fork Express, by eminent domain to make way for 550 residential units, 74,380 square feet of retail space — such as shops and restaurants — as well as 16,000 square feet of office space and a village square can be constructed, Newsday reported.

Developer Jim Coughlan of Tritec told the newspaper that acquiring the bus depot, located in the middle of the project, was critical to completing its second phase.

"We continue to negotiate with [other] property owners to purchase property for future phases," he said.

It may take up to a decade to complete the project. Tritec officials previously said the project could take a decade to finish.

North Fork Express president Gregory Mensch called it a "sad day" for him and the company's 100 employees.

To read more about the Ronkonkoma Hub project in Newsday, click here.