Holbrook Downtown Revitalization

Holbrook residents and elected officials are working together with the hopes to transform the downtown area in to a more traditional downtown. Holbrook's downtown currently consists of a five-block area which is full of parking lots and small shopping centers.  People involved feel that in order for Holbrook to survive Downtown Holbrook must evolve. Officials recently advised that they have partnered with a nonprofit research group to develop a plan to revitalize the downtown area before an the anticipated growth from the Ronkonkoma Hub, a 53-acre development of housing, shops, office and medical space. A group of Holbrook business owners, residents and officials began meeting months ago to determine exactly what this revitalized downtown would look like.  Patchogue is a perfect example of a revitalized downtown and something that the group believes Holbrook should attempt to mirror. Main Street lined with storefronts, offering a variety of retail shops and dining choices.  The vision also includes the addition of affordable housing options, wider streets, health and elder services and even a bike lane. The group presented its vision over the summer to the Regional Plan Association (RPA), which is conducting a hamlet study.  Officials believe that the new Ronkonkoma Hub, which is located about 1.25 miles from downtown Holbrook, presents an opportunity for Main Street to bloom. The Ronkonkoma Hub will deliver over 1,400 residential units and approximately 600,000 square feet of commercial space for office, retail, medical or hospitality use.   As most local residents know, work has already begun, and the first 489 apartments are expected to be completed in early 2020. Lease up and occupancy of these units is expected to begin in early Summer 2020. Residents of these units and the other 1,000 units that we be completed in other phases of the project will create a direct need for local dining and shopping. The RPA study is expected to be completed in early 2019. Once complete officials will need to present the information and seek to change zoning as necessary for the re-development.