mikelbeck
11-10-2008, 01:37 PM
http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/longisland/ny-lirive105921433nov10,0,3751826.story
Residents with questions about Riverhead Resorts - the proposed recreation complex that backers say will bring tourists, money and jobs to the Calverton pine barrens - can quiz the project's backers and critics at a forum tonight in Hampton Bays. Riverhead Supervisor Phil Cardinale will also be on hand.
The $2.1-billion project would place eight themed resorts, shops, restaurants and timeshare condos around an artificial lake on a 755-acre parcel of the former Grumman property at Enterprise Park, just south of Route 25. Developers would break ground in 2010, with the resort set to open in spring of 2013.
The forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Southampton Town Senior Center, 25 Ponquogue Ave., in Hampton Bays.
With no site plan yet filed, the specifics of the project remain largely unknown. But the details sketched out in presentations and brochures - a 350-foot indoor ski mountain, an artificial white-water rafting "experience," a stadium for equine competitions - have captured the public's attention and drawn criticism from environmental advocates.
Cardinale called the project "a wonderful idea." He said the plan is consistent with the town's reuse plan for the 2,900-acre property, which the Navy handed over to Riverhead in 1998 for economic development.
But a coalition of environmental advocates says the plan is too big, too polluting and could wipe out habitat for protected species such as the short-eared owl. Other concerns include the impact on groundwater and the Peconic River.
Kevin McDonald, director of public lands for the Nature Conservancy on Long Island, compared the project to "a Disney theme park." He said it crammed so much development on the parcel that little room was left for open space.
Mitch Pally, an attorney for Riverhead Resorts, said the developer had set aside buffers around salamander ponds. The 35 percent open space required by the town will be shared among two other projects at EPCAL to allow for larger contiguous parcels, he said.
From car exhaust to electricity consumption, the project's likely carbon footprint also has raised eyebrows. "How much power does it cost to run an indoor snow slope?" said Bob DeLuca of Group for the East End.
Pally said the resort's "goal" was to use solar and wind power, and that a rail spur on the site could be used for passenger trains to limit car traffic.
Environmental advocates also question whether the town, which stands to gain millions from the project, is the best entity to lead the environmental review process.
Riverhead Resorts bought the land from the town in January for $155 million. The deal also included guaranteed payments of up to $16 million as the project goes through an expected lengthy environmental review and permitting process. The town has already received $6.5 million in such payments.
Cardinale said the deal would have no affect on the outcome of a town-led environmental review, which he said "has nothing to do with the approval process." The resort will require permits and approvals from 19 different state and local agencies, he said, adding, "They get to determine on their own whether or not to issue their approvals."
8 RESORTS IN 1
Riverhead Resorts, scheduled to open in 2013, will include:
1 Sports Lifestyle Resort: Ballfields plus fitness, tennis and aquatics facilities
2 Wilderness Resort:
A lodge, kayaking areas
3 Equine Resort: Arenas for horseback training, shows, competition
4 Rejuvenating Resort: Gardens, spa, wellness.
5 Mountain Resort: 35-story indoor ski mountain, ice rink
6 Heritage & Entertainment: Family-oriented shops, restaurants
7 Water Adventure: Water rides, sand beach, river, coral reef
8 Conference Resort: For conventions, concerts
Residents with questions about Riverhead Resorts - the proposed recreation complex that backers say will bring tourists, money and jobs to the Calverton pine barrens - can quiz the project's backers and critics at a forum tonight in Hampton Bays. Riverhead Supervisor Phil Cardinale will also be on hand.
The $2.1-billion project would place eight themed resorts, shops, restaurants and timeshare condos around an artificial lake on a 755-acre parcel of the former Grumman property at Enterprise Park, just south of Route 25. Developers would break ground in 2010, with the resort set to open in spring of 2013.
The forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Southampton Town Senior Center, 25 Ponquogue Ave., in Hampton Bays.
With no site plan yet filed, the specifics of the project remain largely unknown. But the details sketched out in presentations and brochures - a 350-foot indoor ski mountain, an artificial white-water rafting "experience," a stadium for equine competitions - have captured the public's attention and drawn criticism from environmental advocates.
Cardinale called the project "a wonderful idea." He said the plan is consistent with the town's reuse plan for the 2,900-acre property, which the Navy handed over to Riverhead in 1998 for economic development.
But a coalition of environmental advocates says the plan is too big, too polluting and could wipe out habitat for protected species such as the short-eared owl. Other concerns include the impact on groundwater and the Peconic River.
Kevin McDonald, director of public lands for the Nature Conservancy on Long Island, compared the project to "a Disney theme park." He said it crammed so much development on the parcel that little room was left for open space.
Mitch Pally, an attorney for Riverhead Resorts, said the developer had set aside buffers around salamander ponds. The 35 percent open space required by the town will be shared among two other projects at EPCAL to allow for larger contiguous parcels, he said.
From car exhaust to electricity consumption, the project's likely carbon footprint also has raised eyebrows. "How much power does it cost to run an indoor snow slope?" said Bob DeLuca of Group for the East End.
Pally said the resort's "goal" was to use solar and wind power, and that a rail spur on the site could be used for passenger trains to limit car traffic.
Environmental advocates also question whether the town, which stands to gain millions from the project, is the best entity to lead the environmental review process.
Riverhead Resorts bought the land from the town in January for $155 million. The deal also included guaranteed payments of up to $16 million as the project goes through an expected lengthy environmental review and permitting process. The town has already received $6.5 million in such payments.
Cardinale said the deal would have no affect on the outcome of a town-led environmental review, which he said "has nothing to do with the approval process." The resort will require permits and approvals from 19 different state and local agencies, he said, adding, "They get to determine on their own whether or not to issue their approvals."
8 RESORTS IN 1
Riverhead Resorts, scheduled to open in 2013, will include:
1 Sports Lifestyle Resort: Ballfields plus fitness, tennis and aquatics facilities
2 Wilderness Resort:
A lodge, kayaking areas
3 Equine Resort: Arenas for horseback training, shows, competition
4 Rejuvenating Resort: Gardens, spa, wellness.
5 Mountain Resort: 35-story indoor ski mountain, ice rink
6 Heritage & Entertainment: Family-oriented shops, restaurants
7 Water Adventure: Water rides, sand beach, river, coral reef
8 Conference Resort: For conventions, concerts