Land swap at former Lawrence Aviation site hits a snag as Romaine objects to part of the deal

A proposed land swap that was expected to resolve an impasse blocking the MTA's purchase of property in Port Jefferson Station for a rail yard was in limbo this week after Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine objected to part of the deal calling on the county to help build a bridge at the site.

State and Suffolk officials had tentatively agreed earlier this year on a deal to transfer a 2,200-foot section of the state-owned Greenway hiking and biking trail to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The trail, which cuts through a 40-acre site eyed for a possible Long Island Rail Road yard, was seen as blocking the MTA's efforts to buy the site for $10 from a county-controlled land bank.

State lawmakers, at the request of the Suffolk Legislature, had passed a bill earlier this year outlining the transfer of the trail from the state Department of Transportation to the MTA. The bill is awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature.

But Romaine in an interview Wednesday said he objected to a provision of the bill requiring the MTA and Suffolk to help construct an overpass spanning the greenway if the DOT decides to build a new spur for State Route 25A, which runs north of the site. DOT officials have said a spur may be needed to address future transportation requirements.

Romaine, who supports the rail yard project, said the greenway should be "preserved in perpetuity" as open space, adding the county would seek to alter the trail to clear space for the rail project.

"I believe the Greenway should stay the Greenway," he said. "Why would I build a bridge ... that I don't support?"

In a statement Thursday, Hochul spokesman Gordon Tepper said Romaine's opposition to the deal threatened to kill efforts to develop the rail yard.

"Suffolk County chose at the 11th hour to walk away from its promises, putting years of progress at risk," Tepper said. "New York State remains ready and committed to continued dialogue with the county to find a solution that facilitates this land transfer in the best interest of the LIRR, DOT, and most importantly the residents of Long Island."

State transportation and MTA officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Ongoing saga at Lawrence site

Romaine's comments were the latest twist in a long-running attempt by state and Suffolk officials to find new uses for the former Lawrence Aviation Industries, a shuttered aircraft parts manufacturer on Sheep Pasture Road.

Resolving the Greenway issue is seen as key to plans to develop the rail yard about a mile west of the Port Jefferson LIRR station. The rail yard could lead to electrification of the Port Jefferson branch, a long-sought goal of Suffolk and Brookhaven Town officials.

But the MTA's purchase of the land has been slowed because part of the Greenway runs through the parcel, which is owned by the Suffolk County Landbank, a nonprofit arm of county government.

The land bank took possession of the 126-acre Lawrence site four years ago as part of a federal settlement of Lawrence Aviation's unpaid debts. Brookhaven owns about 40 acres of open space at the site, and another 40-acre parcel is owned by the county for a solar farm.

A $48.1 million federal and state Superfund cleanup of the Lawrence property was completed earlier this year.

'Opportunity may slip through'

Supporters of the rail project said they backed plans to preserve the Greenway but expressed concern that the apparent collapse of the land swap may imperil the MTA's purchase of the property.

Assemb. Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) said she supports preserving the Greenway and would oppose a bridge. An overpass would be greeted with "pitchforks and torches" by local residents, she said.

“No way is that going to happen on my watch,” she said Tuesday in a phone interview. “There will never be a bypass. … Community members would never allow that to happen.”

Ira Costell, president of the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Civic Association, said the ongoing dispute worries local residents, who generally support the DOT-MTA land swap.

“The reality is this opportunity may slip through our fingers,” Costell said in a telephone interview. “That would just be an unfortunate development.”

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.