A promising transit-oriented development project around the Ronkonkoma LIRR station in Suffolk County seems to be moving forward, thanks to an unusual amount of cooperation between two bordering municipalities. The Town of Brookhaven (which includes the station and the area north of the tracks) and the Town of Islip (which includes the area south of the tracks) are collaborating on efforts to bring mixed-use development to what is now a sea of surface parking.

Besides coordinating development plans, the towns have also formally agreed to cooperate on seeking funding for sewage treatment and other infrastructure improvements.

In a 2010 concept plan, Brookhaven envisioned about 650 housing units in 3-4 story townhouses or apartments, and more than 100,000 square feet for office space, retail, restaurant, and other commercial development for its part of the site. Plans for the Islip portion are further off. Islip officials also say they see the project going hand-in-hand with their plans to attract another carrier to MacArthur Airport.

So far, Brookhaven Town officials have received four expressions of interest from developers for the northern portion of the site. They are also competing for funds through New York State’s recently created Regional Economic Development Councils.

Brookhaven was one of seven municipalities that received funds from a TSTC/One Region Funders Group grant program for groundbreaking TOD projects in 2009. At a conference to share the grant results earlier this year, the town said coordination with Islip was one of the project’s most important unanswered questions. Brookhaven and Islip are answering it in fine fashion so far.

“Wyandanch Rising” Project Keeps Rising

Another ambitious Long Island project that’s been supported by the TSTC/One Region Funders Group program, the Wyandanch Rising initiative, has also been progressing. Last month, the project received a $2 million federal grant for transportation improvements such as a plaza, bus pick-up and drop-off locations closer to the LIRR station, bike storage, and a reconfiguration of the road network. The Long Island Business News also reports that the Town of Babylon has been holding hearings to get public input on new, “form-based” zoning codes that will guide the aesthetic feel of the project.

The area around the Wyandanch LIRR station is both economically distressed and has major environmental challenges, such as a high water table. As a result, development around the station is designed to use “low-impact” techniques like green roofs and rain gardens which reduce stormwater runoff and energy use.