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Back in September 1998, the Town of Riverhead took ownership of
the former Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (Calverton, NY).
The 2,900-acre site had been leased by the Grumman Corporation from
the US Navy for more than 40 years for the testing of military aircraft.
The redevelopment of this unique land constitutes one of the largest
real estate projects in the Northeast. The facility is approximately
1.5 miles by 3.5 miles in size and is located entirely within the
Town of Riverhead. The property is surrounded by a 3,000-acre buffer
zone that must remain in its natural state under federal and state
laws. Goals of paramount importance for the redevelopment include
job creation, generation of tax revenues, and productive, balanced
utilization of an exceptional location in New York State for economic
development. The location's designation as an Empire Zone provides
extensive New York State incentives for locating businesses at this
prime location.
Riverhead's recreational amenities are an important ingredient in
the region's quality of life. The abundance of special attractions,
miles of shoreline, and open recreational spaces lure more than
25-million visitors to the Riverhead area each year. Popular destinations
include our numerous beaches and parks, golfing, canoeing, wineries,
factory-outlet shopping, water park facilities, paddleboat river
cruises, and Atlantis Aquarium. Located in New York State's leading
agricultural county, Riverhead currently has over 20,000 acres devoted
to agriculture. The Town's agricultural acreage includes potatoes,
vegetables, grapes, and sod, as well as stables and nurseries. Riverhead
is also famous for its duckling, fresh fish, and shellfish. Farmstands
and orchards are popular stops for visitors as well. The downtown
business district features two historic theatres, the 1933 art deco
Suffolk Theatre, and the 1881 Vail Leavcit Music Hall. Both facilities
are currently being restored.
The Comprehensive Reuse Plan (HR&A, 1996) is a blueprint for
future development of the Calverton site, including consideration
of future land uses, the economics of development by the Town of
Riverhead, and the fiscal impact on the region. In addition, the
Reuse Plan is designed with the flexibility to accommodate changes
in the marketplace over time. The Reuse Plan contains the determination
of goals and objectives, marketing strategies, redevelopment scenarios,
a recommended development plan, and steps for implementation for
utilization by both local officials and residents. In developing
the Reuse Plan, the Town of Riverhead placed emphasis on ecological,
economic, and community considerations. Input from civic groups
and residents into the Comprehensive Reuse Plan was a strong priority
of the Town.
The Comprehensive Reuse Plan calls for a multi-use
enterprise park that has at its core the existing industrial complex.
The major components of the proposed Calverton Enterprise Park are:
an industrial park, a theme-attraction area, sports park/commercial
recreation areas, and retained open space. Among the 940 acres of
proposed open space are 423 acres of land in the Pine Barrens core
area and an extensive 120-acre buffer along Grumman Boulevard.
The industrial core takes maximum advantage of
the existing one million square feet of buildings that are well
suited to adaptive reuse. There is additional development potential
of two million square feet within the core area. The proposed entertainment
park builds upon the strength of eastern Long Island as a tourist
destination. One of several high-quality attractions, possibly a
theme park, would serve as a major regional asset. In addition,
a hotel/conference center, golf facilities, and parking for a few
thousand vehicles could be accommodated. The sports park is hoped
to incorporate a regional family recreation center that could feature
major commercial recreational activities. It could also include
a community fairgrounds or special events area.
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