Developer pitches $22 million housing complex for Kings Park
The proposed site of Cornerstone Kings Park near the intersection of Meadow Road and Indian Head Road in Kings Park on Tuesday. Credit: Barry Sloan
Developers have filed plans to build a three-story mixed-use apartment complex in Kings Park on the site of a former restaurant — a move Smithtown officials say is key to revitalizing the hamlet.
Developers have pitched Cornerstone Kings Park on a 2.26-acre lot on the corner of Meadow Road and Indian Head Road. The developers for the $22 million complex, with 50 luxury apartments, are Tanzi Properties LLC, which owns the land, and Terwilliger & Bartone Properties.
The Smithtown zoning board will consider granting the project a special exception to build the 50 apartments. A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6. Tony Tanzi, of Tanzi Properties LLC, serves on Smithtown's Zoning Board of Appeals and said he will recuse himself from the hearings.
The proposal will revitalize downtown Kings Park, Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and the developers said. In 2016, the town released an "action plan" for the hamlet that called for transit-oriented development in and around Kings Park’s LIRR train station.
Developers sought the community's input on the project and have held hearings over the past several months. Wehrheim and developer Anthony Bartone said they expect opposition from residents. But ultimately, Wehrheim said, the town should support transit-oriented housing.
"I understand that people have their opinions on whether these kinds of projects are feasible but . . . if we don’t embark on changes, what will remain is derelict downtown business districts with empty storefronts, and I don’t think that’s what Smithtown wants."
Suffolk Legis. Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) said he opposed putting 50 apartments on a property of that size.
"People move to Long Island to get away from that kind of density," Trotta said in an interview.
Tanzi referred Newsday to Bartone.
Bartone said in an interview that developers have revised the plan four times since first pitching it to the community. After residents expressed concern about the building's height and potential traffic problems, the developers tweaked the proposal.
The current plan calls for a three-story building, with an underground parking garage. The original plan was for four stories.
"We’re trying to do things that will bolster foot traffic in the downtown, and help spark some of the businesses out there," Bartone said. "When you’re making a $22 million private investment, that generates other economic activity in the downtown ..."
He added, "our residents will have income that they’ll deploy toward dining and shopping, and they’re certainly going to spend a good part of that downtown."
In January, the state awarded Kings Park a $10 million grant to revitalize its downtown. Town and state officials have begun soliciting suggestions for the initiative.
Developers have filed plans to build a three-story mixed-use apartment complex in Kings Park on the site of a former restaurant — a move Smithtown officials say is key to revitalizing the hamlet.
Developers have pitched Cornerstone Kings Park on a 2.26-acre lot on the corner of Meadow Road and Indian Head Road. The developers for the $22 million complex, with 50 luxury apartments, are Tanzi Properties LLC, which owns the land, and Terwilliger & Bartone Properties.
The Smithtown zoning board will consider granting the project a special exception to build the 50 apartments. A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6. Tony Tanzi, of Tanzi Properties LLC, serves on Smithtown's Zoning Board of Appeals and said he will recuse himself from the hearings.
The proposal will revitalize downtown Kings Park, Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and the developers said. In 2016, the town released an "action plan" for the hamlet that called for transit-oriented development in and around Kings Park’s LIRR train station.
Developers sought the community's input on the project and have held hearings over the past several months. Wehrheim and developer Anthony Bartone said they expect opposition from residents. But ultimately, Wehrheim said, the town should support transit-oriented housing.
"I understand that people have their opinions on whether these kinds of projects are feasible but . . . if we don’t embark on changes, what will remain is derelict downtown business districts with empty storefronts, and I don’t think that’s what Smithtown wants."
Suffolk Legis. Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) said he opposed putting 50 apartments on a property of that size.
"People move to Long Island to get away from that kind of density," Trotta said in an interview.
Tanzi referred Newsday to Bartone.
Bartone said in an interview that developers have revised the plan four times since first pitching it to the community. After residents expressed concern about the building's height and potential traffic problems, the developers tweaked the proposal.
The current plan calls for a three-story building, with an underground parking garage. The original plan was for four stories.
"We’re trying to do things that will bolster foot traffic in the downtown, and help spark some of the businesses out there," Bartone said. "When you’re making a $22 million private investment, that generates other economic activity in the downtown ..."
He added, "our residents will have income that they’ll deploy toward dining and shopping, and they’re certainly going to spend a good part of that downtown."
In January, the state awarded Kings Park a $10 million grant to revitalize its downtown. Town and state officials have begun soliciting suggestions for the initiative.
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