Master Developer To Revitalize Neighborhood Road In Mastic Beach

Press release from the Town of Brookhaven:

Oct. 27, 2021

Brookhaven Town Councilman Dan Panico changed the course of history for the Mastic Beach hamlet today when he announced that he and fellow board members unanimously selected the Beechwood Organization as the Master Developer for Mastic Beach’s Neighborhood Road. The award was made at the October 21 Town Board meeting. Neighborhood Road serves as the hamlet’s downtown business district which has long suffered from blight and deterioration. Substandard structures, dilapidated, and vacant storefronts have plagued the area for decades.

In 2019, the Town conducted a blight study of Neighborhood Road and surrounding streets, which was the first significant step in efforts towards major revitalization of the area. The study confirmed that the area had a sufficient amount of blight, code violations and obstacles that have deterred meaningful investment in Neighborhood Road. The Town then sought a Master Developer tasked with creating a comprehensive plan that would showcase a variety of land uses, such as housing, retail and restaurants, aimed at replacing existing decay along Neighborhood Road. The Town chose Beechwood based on its expertise and proven track record.

Councilman Panico said, “Every action we take is in furtherance of writing a new positive chapter in the history of Mastic Beach. The designation of Beechwood as Master Developer pursuant to the request for qualifications is the latest step, and a major step, in realizing the revitalization of downtown Mastic Beach. I look forward to working with them on this project and know that they possess the ability and credentials essential to realize the comprehensive redevelopment that has been sought after by residents for quite some time. People have talked about getting it done for the area; I want to actually see it done. Brick by brick, and block by block.”

Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “I commend Councilman Panico for his determination to revitalize the Mastic Beach business district. After years of planning and community input, the Town is ready to move ahead with creating a brighter future for Neighborhood Road and the Mastic Beach community. The selection of the Beechwood Organization is a decisive first step and I look forward to seeing their vision of the new Neighborhood Road as the master plan is developed.”

The Beechwood Organization has successfully built mixed-use developments that have repurposed underutilized sites across Long Island and the State of New York since 1985 such as Country Pointe in Plainview and Yaphank; Meadowbrook Pointe in Westbury and Medford; The Vanderbilt luxury apartment-hotel in Westbury; and at the waterfront, Marina Pointe in East Rockaway and Arverne by the Sea in the Rockaways, recognized by the Urban Land Institute as the largest oceanfront, residential revitalization project in the Northeast.

Moving forward, Beechwood will work closely with the Town and Mastic Beach community to further develop and define the vision for Neighborhood Road and complete an Urban Renewal Plan that will serve as the agreed planning guide.

Steven Dubb, Principal, The Beechwood Organization said, "We thank The Town of Brookhaven for selecting us to help give new life and purpose to Mastic Beach's Neighborhood Road. Our top priority is to gain a deeper understanding from the people who live, work and own here about what they would like to see happen. Thoughtful discussion with all of our stakeholders is key to the vision of what the new mixed-use development can and will become."

This press release was produced by the Town of Brookhaven. The views expressed here are the author's own.