Tritec eyes Long Island Hub as Suffolk weighs development proposals

Suffolk County is preparing to review development proposals for 48 acres south of the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station, the latest step in its effort to transform a sprawling commuter parking area into a major commercial and economic hub.

But there is still no timetable for selecting a developer or beginning construction, county officials confirmed to Greater Long Island.

Among the interested developers is Tritec Real Estate, the company behind the $1.3 billion Station Yards development on the opposite side of the railroad tracks.

A Tritec representative has confirmed to Greater Long Island that the company submitted a proposal by Suffolk County’s Sept. 25 deadline.

“We did put a bid in,” he said. “The County has asked we don’t discuss it yet but I can confirm it was a non residential bid.”

The county declined to identify the bidders or disclose how many proposals were received, citing the ongoing procurement process.

“An RFP committee will be reviewing the proposals,” said Michael Martino, a spokesman for County Executive Ed Romaine.

Asked when a developer might be selected, Martino said there is no timeline. The county also has not determined when construction could begin.

What could be built?

The project, now known as the Long Island Hub, is the county’s latest attempt to transform the property into a destination for jobs, businesses and economic activity.

According to the county’s development priorities outlined in its July request for proposals, as reported by Long Island Business News, officials are seeking projects that could include healthcare facilities, biotechnology and life sciences research, offices, hotels, restaurants, retail shops and even manufacturing space.

Public open space, community amenities and improved connections to Long Island MacArthur Airport and the LIRR station are also among the priorities.

Romaine has expressed particular interest in healthcare and life sciences development, which he believes could establish the Ronkonkoma Hub as a center for research, innovation and high-quality employment, according to LIBN.

The county is not seeking additional housing on the south side of the tracks, where much of the property currently serves as commuter parking, according to the report.

Instead, the new development would complement Station Yards, Tritec’s massive mixed-use project on the north side, which is expected to include 1,450 apartments when completed.

The county’s solicitation also calls for protecting commuter parking and maintaining access to the railroad station, the LIBN report reads.

Under the proposed arrangement, Suffolk would retain ownership of the land and lease it to the selected developer.

Revisiting ‘Midway Crossingg’

The new effort follows Suffolk County’s decision in January 2025 to terminate its agreement with Chicago-based JLL, the master developer behind the ambitious $2.8 billion Midway Crossing proposal, as Greater Long Island previously reported.

That project envisioned transforming approximately 179 acres around the train station and airport into a regional destination, complete with a 300,000-square-foot convention center, about 2 million square feet of office space, a 300-room hotel and more than 300,000 square feet of retail.

The plans also included a proposed new airport terminal connected to the LIRR station by an 1,800-foot pedestrian corridor.

Romaine’s administration ended the agreement after years of delays, citing a lack of progress.

The county subsequently sought expressions of interest from developers before issuing a formal request for proposals in July.

The current effort focuses on a smaller, 48-acre portion of the original project area, while the Town of Islip is separately pursuing plans for a new airport terminal and improved connections to the railroad, according to LIBN.

$200 million remains committed

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the development timeline, significant public funding remains committed to infrastructure improvements in the area.

Gov. Kathy Hochul previously announced $150 million in state funding for improvements around the Ronkonkoma Hub, including transit access, road networks and other infrastructure.

Romaine has also committed at least $50 million in county infrastructure investment, subject to legislative approval.

Martino confirmed to Greater Long Island that both funding commitments remain in place.

He said Romaine wants a project that will create jobs, support Suffolk’s economy and become part of the surrounding community.

But the county is keeping the submitted proposals confidential while the review process moves forward.

Asked what safeguards or milestones might be included in a future development agreement to prevent a repeat of the delays that derailed Midway Crossing, Martino said “those issues would be addressed when the proposals are reviewed.”

---

Top: The railroad station at Ronkonkoma as seen from the Smithtown Avenue overpass. (Credit: GLI/Nick Esposito/file)