The Village Board is hoping novel zoning changes can help transform Terry Street into a walkable arts district that would complement Patchogue’s already bustling Main Street.
The board on Monday night unanimously approved the creation of an arts and culture district that stretches the length of Terry Street, from South Ocean to Rider avenues, on the south side.
No one spoke out against the proposal at a public hearing that preceded the vote.
“I just think that with everything that’s gone on in Patchogue over the last 20 years, starting with the renovation of Patchogue Theatre … this is a logical next step, said Trustee Lori Devlin.
Devlin and Trustee Susan Henke Brinkman helped lead the efforts for the board.
The idea is to allow artists to inhabit live-work spaces along the strip through mixed allowable uses that include workshops, studios and museums.
But there’s a component of the plan that calls for a more physical change to Terry Street.
In the new district, newly built and renovated buildings can reach as high as 45 feet, or three stories, and can be built right up to the sidewalks.
The new zoning also allows for parking in the rear, but no parking out front. Eliminating front yards “allows for walkability,” explained village attorney Brian Egan, “by having the units clustered toward the street.”
The idea for the district stemmed from the village’s blight study of 2015, which identified portions of Terry Street as a blighted, Devlin explained. The board looked to the arts for answers.
The western end of Terry Street already consists of the community garden, Artspace Patchogue Lofts, the Artspace and Patchogue Arts Council galleries and the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center.
Altogether, that takes up about 1/3 of Terry Street. But the revitalization stops at Taylor Lane just to the east of Artspace.
“Once you pass Taylor Lane it’s sort of a mish-mosh,” said Devlin.
The idea, economically, is to encourage investment along the rest of Terry Street and further enhance the village’s charm and attractiveness for visitors and residents alike to walk about.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to address a space in our village that needs a little help, especially being so close to Main Street,” said Henke Brinkman.
“On an historical note …” she added, “If you haven’t taken a look, look at those houses (pictured above). Those are the mill houses that were constructed to house the people who were responsible for the lace mill machinery, and the day to day operations.
“They’re people who came from England. The houses have that wonderful, historical character and I look forward to seeing how artists turn them into their own work-play showcase spaces.”
One local artist who spoke Monday night, Dave Rogers, applauded the idea.
“The art district is a very important step in the progress of Patchogue,” Rogers said. “This is a first on Long Island and it’s a big first. Because this is not just about development, or bringing in companies to set up galleries and museums. This is an opportunity for artists to actually have a live-work space, or artists to invest in their futures.”
He said most areas encourage the arts through the idea of storefront galleries.
“But for a lot of artists, that it out of the budget,” he said. “They already have to own a house and pay a mortgage and all this other stuff. So having this district where people can actually invest in their future — in not just a place to live, but a place to work and share with other artists, it’s a unique step.”
Photo: The south side of Terry Street looking west. (Michael White)
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