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The Patchogue Arts Council is getting a shiny new cultural arts center in East Patchogue, with the help of New York State.
On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul earmarked a $2 million grant for the construction of the multi-disciplinary space, which is being erected on East Main Street near where Mediterranean Manor used to be.
The longtime wedding venue was razed earlier this year to pave the way for a $47 million apartment complex called the Greybarn Housing Project, which will include 91 units that are a mix of luxury and affordable units. As part of the revitalization of the area, the project’s developer donated a house at 312 E. Main St. to the Patchogue Arts Council.
The cultural arts center also received $800,000 from Suffolk County via its Jumpstart grant to build the center, expecting to draw thousands to the area each year. The new center is expected to cost about $3.5 million.
“Investing in the arts is investing in our community,” said Hochul. “The new cultural arts center will be a cornerstone for creativity and education, enhancing the vibrant cultural fabric of Patchogue and providing a space for artists and the community to thrive.”
The Patchogue Arts Council, led by executive director Beth Giacummo, is a nonprofit that aims to educate, support, and elevate the arts community in the local area. This new center will be a shot in the arm for the group and its mission, says Giacummo.
“This center will elevate the arts community in countless ways and foster a greater sense of togetherness in Patchogue,” said Giacummo. “This funding will make the arts available and accessible to our growing community. It will exponentially advance PAC’s capacity to serve, create opportunity, and support for Long Island creatives and beyond.”
Rechler Equity Partners, LLC, a Plainview-based realty company behind the Greybarn Housing Project, purchased several buildings along East Main Street for the 131,000-square-foot apartment building, as well as making room for the new cultural arts center.
“It is always important for Rechler Equity to incorporate public art in all of our projects,” said Gregg Rechler, managing partner at the Greybarn Housing Project. “This is an amazing way to support a vital organization in the community and we thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership. We could not be more excited to bring our Greybarn brand of luxury homes to the East Patchogue community and provide quality housing to an already-bustling downtown.”
The revitalization efforts of the area got the stamp of approval from several local officials, including Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri.
“This funding will not only enhance our local arts scene but also contribute to the economic and social vitality of the Greater Patchogue Community and its surrounding areas,” he said.
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Top: Museum of Contemporary Art Long Island, run by Patchogue Arts Council in Patchogue. (Photo credit: Andrea Stolz/patchoguearts.org)
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