Suozzi & Navy Close on Deal to Transfer 105 Acres to County

County Plans to Develop Land for High-Skill, High-Tech Industry

Mineola, NY – Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi today joined Navy officials, business leaders and local officials – including Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Nassau County Legislator Edward Mangano – to close on a real estate transaction that transfers 105 acres of the Grumman property in Bethpage from the Navy to the County.

In his ongoing campaign to spur economic development in Nassau County, Suozzi will work with business leaders, developers, venture capitalists, laboratories, colleges and universities to develop and market this property as a center for biotechnology, nanotechnology, development of alternative fuels and homeland security.

“This is a great day for the County,” Suozzi said. “Redevelopment of the Grumman site is an integral part of Nassau County’s comprehensive economic development strategy to increase the tax base and create jobs. Since the County has just about stopped growing, we need to find new and creative ways to grow our tax base. And I am convinced that high-tech, high-skilled businesses will not only increase our revenues, but will attract and retain young, smart people to work in those businesses.”

“On behalf of the Department of the Navy, it is with great satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that we officially commemorate the completion of this effort,” said Navy Captain William F. Cords. “Since Congress authorized the transfer of this property, the Department of the Navy and the County of Nassau have worked collectively and diligently to facilitate the conveyance of this land.”

“The transfer of the Navy property to Nassau County is an important step in redeveloping this large and pivotal piece of commercial real estate. My Town Board colleagues and I look forward to working with the County and its partners in attracting to the site the types of businesses that will create attractive new jobs and that will compliment and enhance the existing business community in and around Bethpage. I want to assure residents that as the redevelopment process moves forward, there will be ample opportunity for community input and involvement,” said Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto.

This property was part of a larger campus in which Navy fighter planes and other aviation and space exploration products were produced during World War II and the Cold War. Among the aircraft constructed on the site were the F-14 Tomcat, the A-6A Intruder, the EA-6B Prowler and the E-2C Hawkeye.

The County is currently working with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, North Shore-LIJ Health System and SUNY Stony Brook to devise the best plan for the site.

A large portion of the 105-acre site sits within an Empire Zone, designated by the state in 2006. Businesses in Empire Zones operate virtually tax-free for the first ten years, if they reach certain job-creation benchmarks. These businesses also receive utility rate savings and technical assistance from Empire Zone staff.

Several active in the Bethpage community were also present for today’s closing, including Gary Bretton,  president of the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce; Linda Mangano, president of the Bethpage PTA; Teri Black and Carol Ann Catapano of the Bethpage Community Council; Tom Frost, president of the Bethpage Board of Education; Bethpage School District Superintendent Dr. Richard Marsh; Frank Camelingo, director of the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce; George & Eleanor Hoban and Bob & Ann Albertson, of the Bethpage Historical Society; Jim Baudille, chief of the  Bethpage Fire Department; Vincent Valenti, Joseph Froehlich and Brian Durr, commissioners of the Bethpage Fire District; and Ed Jensen, Bethpage Library trustee.

Nassau County has conducted surveys and held meetings with local residents and other stakeholders. Among the top concerns were increased traffic and noise, compatibility with surrounding development and environmental worries. The same surveys found local stakeholders wanted to see increased tax revenue, aesthetic upgrade of the area and the creation of high-tech jobs.

“There is no question that any redevelopment of this site must also enhance the overall quality of life for residents in the surrounding area,” Suozzi said. “We are committed to working with the Town of Oyster Bay to ensure this vital project is a success not just for the County, but for its neighbors in Bethpage.”