Long Island stakeholders working together to achieve North Amityville revitalization - by Manetta

Anthony Manetta, HB Solutions LLC

The hamlet of North Amityville in the Town of Babylon has had its share of economic challenges. Governmental officials such as Town of Babylon supervisor Rich Schaffer, deputy supervisor Tony Martinez, Suffolk County legislator Duwayne Gregory and assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre have been working collectively with actively-engaged community leaders to revitalize the area. The area has an interesting history including one of the oldest churches — the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church formed in 1815 — and at one time was home to the largest private airports in the country.

The recent ribbon cutting of Rechler Equity’s Greybarn development marked the successful culmination of the long-anticipated project and a significant step in the revitalization of North Amityville. Gregg and Mitchell Rechler manage an industrial real estate portfolio consisting of several million s/f. They have also worked with Suffolk County to develop an industrial complex known as the “Hampton Business District” at Gabreski Airport — aimed at providing companies with options to grow on Long Island’s East End.

Greybarn development in North Amityville - Babylon, NY

Greybarn is an expansion of the Rechlers’ industrial prowess and was constructed by their subsidiary R-Squared Partners. The site’s location was formerly home to a trailer park which, by all accounts, fell into disrepair by the previous owner, making the living conditions there dangerous. After acquiring the property the developers worked with local officials to devise a relocation plan for the residents of the community. According to media reports, R-Squared Partners distributed over $2.7 million in relocation funds to former residents.

Greybarn sits on 20 acres and will be home to 500 multifamily housing units and 40,000 s/f of retail space (Starbucks has already inked their lease). The mixed-use components of the project are succinctly summarized in the developer’s synopsis, “A walkable community, Greybarn is inspired by a time when people lived in closer proximity to one another. Its façade is a tribute to Long Island’s rich farming heritage, and its green spaces encourage residents to get out-of-doors.”

This project is a clear example of how — working collaboratively with local leaders, non-profits and governmental officials — the developer was able to maximize the project’s viability, all while creating economic resiliency for the local community.

Anthony Manetta is an economic development and public affairs consultant at HB Solutions, the non-legal subsidiary of Harris Beach, Melville, N.Y.