LI Planning Council Votes In Favor Of $2.8B Midway Crossing Project

RONKONKOMA, NY — A $2.8 billion dollar project is one step closer to coming to Ronkonkoma. On Thursday, the Long Island Regional Planning Council voted to support Midway Crossing, a convention center, 300-room hotel, sports arena and a new, northern terminal at Long Island MacArthur Airport that would be built near the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station.

The Council unanimously agreed to name Midway Crossing a significant project. The group is a coalition of business leaders and elected officials in Nassau and Suffolk. According to the group's website, "LIRPC serves as a catalyst for action by proposing immediate and long-term, implemental solutions for issues of regional concern."

The Town of Islip also supports the plan, designed to link Long Island's airport to public transportation and the LIRR, in order to spur economic development in the area and Long Island as a whole.

“The Town of Islip, Suffolk County and the jointly-selected Master Developer, Jones, Lang, LaSalle (JLL), have been working collectively on a new concept, a multi-use development that connects Long Island MacArthur Airport with the upgraded service from the Ronkonkoma Railroad station," Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter said in a statement.

"Midway Crossing will be an innovative office research complex, dedicated to life sciences, along with a sports and entertainment venue, and a hotel and convention center, which will all be easily accessed by train, upgraded road systems and the airport. This transformative project, which would not burden our property taxpayers, would instead, fully utilize our highly-educated workforce, provide high-paying jobs, and keep our young people on Long Island, long into the future."

Supporters of the project cite the transportation-friendly benefits for businesses, increased potential for tourism to Long Island and attraction for industries that can offer better salaries and retain young people on LI.

Midway Crossing would be constructed on Islip Town-owned land, and must be approved by the Federal Agency of Aviation to go forward.

What do you think of the proposal? Share your thoughts in the comments.