Suffolk Pols Approve Development Corp For Ronkonkoma Project: Report

RONKONKOMA, NY — The Suffolk County Legislature has voted 13-1 to approve a local development corporation to fund the construction of the $2.8 billion Midway Crossing Air Terminal and Convention Center in Ronkonkoma, Newsday reported.

The corporation, which is a joint venture between Suffolk and Islip Town, will help raise money through the issuance of tax-exempt bonds and pave the way for the two partners to apply for state and federal grant money that will help off-set construction costs, officials told the outlet.

Legis. Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville), whose constituency includes part of Ronkonkoma, rejected the project by casting the line dissenting vote.

He noted that his office received numerous complaints from residents saying they were concerned “about the size and scope of this project" and wanted lawmakers "to please scale it down so it doesn’t destroy communities,” according to the report.

Officials from the project's master developer, JLL of Chicago, which was just approved at the same meeting, last week said that they would be willing to remove sports and entertainment arenas from the project, the outlet previously reported.

To read more in Newsday, click here.