Revitalizing Communities Through Transit-Oriented Development

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is crucial in reshaping Long Island’s infrastructure and economy, and TRITEC Real Estate Company stands at the forefront of this transformation. By strategically situating mixed-use developments near Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) stations, we have bolstered economic growth, revitalized once-dormant downtowns, and generated significant infrastructure improvements. Four key TRITEC projects underscore this vision: Station Yards in Ronkonkoma, Shoregate in Bay Shore, The Wel in Lindenhurst, and New Village in Patchogue.

Patchogue’s New Village has proven to be a flagship example of TOD success on Long Island. Located within walking distance of the Patchogue Train Station, New Village comprises 291 apartments, 45,000 square feet of retail space, and 17,000 square feet of office space. Before this project broke ground, Patchogue’s Main Street was more than half vacant. Today, it is a thriving hub, welcoming 42 new businesses and spurring over $1 billion in economic activity in an only 2.2 square mile village. This downtown redevelopment project exemplifies how thoughtful development near transit can breathe life into a once-faltering community.

Across from the Lindenhurst Train Station, The Wel—a 260-unit apartment building—has demonstrated the resilience and potential of TOD. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lindenhurst’s Main Street not only survived but also thrived. The Wel helped the village attract over 20 new businesses, ensuring that not a single business was lost. This development is a testament to the powerful synergy between local infrastructure and vibrant community spaces.

Meanwhile, in Bay Shore, Shoregate is poised to elevate the area’s economic landscape. With 418 apartments and 1,650 square feet of retail space, this development will inject approximately $13 million in disposable income directly into the Main Street economy. Its proximity to the Bay Shore Train Station makes it a prime example of how TOD can help reinvigorate local business districts and stimulate lasting economic growth. Shoregate is between two $500 million renovations at South Shore Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital. This project will help attract new employees from both facilities to put roots down in the surrounding community.

Lastly, TRITEC’s most considerable Long Island undertaking, Station Yards, embodies the comprehensive potential of TOD. This master-planned community surrounding the north side of the Ronkonkoma Train Station will feature 1,450 residential units, 195,000 square feet of retail space, 360,000 square feet of office space, and 60,000 square feet of hospitality space. The ambitious infrastructure required for this project included a specialized pump station that could be one of the nation’s longest forced sewer mains. In partnership with Suffolk County, we developed an additional 1.5 million gallons of sewer capacity, significantly expanding the region’s future infrastructure potential. This new capacity opens doors for sewering downtown Holbrook or MacArthur Airport, unlocking hundreds of millions of dollars in additional economic development.

By embracing transit-oriented development and leveraging the existing and expanded LIRR infrastructure, TRITEC has shown how strategic investments can reinvigorate struggling communities, create jobs, and generate new growth opportunities. We have just been named Master Developer for downtown Smithtown and are pursuing our first projects in Nassau County. All of these projects demonstrate the profound economic and social benefits of integrating real estate development with transit infrastructure, setting a strong foundation for Long Island’s future.