Officials in Suffolk County, New York, are restarting its search for a master developer to transform 48 acres within the broader 179-acre redevelopment area between Long Island MacArthur Airport and the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station.
The county is issuing a new Request for Proposals (RFP) more than a year after terminating its agreement with a former developer, citing a lack of progress.
The county’s RFP seeks a mix of office, healthcare, life sciences, retail, food and beverage, hospitality, industrial or manufacturing uses, public open space and strong transit and airport connections while preserving commuter parking. The county said it is particularly interested in proposals anchored by healthcare or life sciences to help establish the Ronkonkoma Hub as a center for innovation, research and high-quality employment. Housing is not included because the nearby Station Yards development is already providing the residential component.
The redevelopment is intended to complement the state’s $150 million investment, announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul in February 2025, to improve connections between Long Island MacArthur Airport and the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station. Building on an earlier $40 million commitment, the funding supports roadway, pedestrian and other infrastructure improvements tied to the long-term vision for a new airport terminal while complementing the Station Yards mixed-use development already underway. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine has also committed a minimum of $50 million in county infrastructure funding, subject to legislative approval, to help prepare the site for development.
Originally built as a World War II military airfield, Long Island MacArthur Airport has grown into a regional commercial airport. County and state officials say strengthening its connection to the Long Island Rail Road could expand transportation options while supporting economic development around the Ronkonkoma station.
Photo by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay
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