Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Heatherwood Communities, LLC, a Long Island-based developer, has been selected to redevelop state-owned land on Conklin Street in East Farmingdale into a mixed-income housing project. The $200 million project is planned to include approximately 495 residential units, with over 100 designated as affordable housing for households earning about 80 percent of the Area Median Income. The development will take place on a 13-acre site that has remained unused for decades.
Governor Hochul emphasized the use of state-owned land for affordable housing development, noting that the project will increase housing options across New York, including Long Island. The plan includes environmental remediation to address potential subsurface contamination at the site. Several state agencies and officials are involved, including Empire State Development and the New York State Housing Commissioner, who have highlighted the project’s role in addressing housing needs and supporting economic activity on Long Island.
According to the Governor’s office, Heatherwood’s plan includes housing options from studio to three-bedroom apartments and townhouses, along with 630 parking spaces and both indoor and outdoor amenities. The project also features a conceptual “Airplane Park” referencing the site’s aviation history. Christopher Capece, President of Heatherwood, stated that the company is working with the state and local community to redevelop the previously unused site.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez highlighted the Governor’s focus on affordable housing and said the proposed development addresses housing needs in Suffolk County. Local officials, including State Senator Monica R. Martinez, said the project will provide nearly 100 affordable homes and convert long-vacant state land into residential use.
With the Town of Babylon serving as the lead agency, the development plan will undergo the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process and will be available for public review and comment before final approval. Approvals from Empire State Development, the State Department of Transportation, and other state and federal agencies are pending. The project is expected to significantly redevelop the East Farmingdale site.
