The village has a lot of concrete - it would be nice to see some grass. 
We need a "central park" with a good hot dog and pretzel vendor.

Keep up the good work Tom.
Kim Collettta
We are fed up with the neglect of our community and the East Main Street corridor. We are no longer willing to sit on the sidelines and be taken advantage of by the owners of the many blighted properties who clearly have no regard for the betterment of our community.

Our group is growing day by day and our message is resonating loud and clear with our elected officials. We have put up with the continued deterioration for decades and deserve attention and action from our government to help stimulate a revitalization.

If you feel the same way, please consider joining our group to further unite our community and help strengthen our voice.

Public Comments and Suggestions about our Main Street   (below)
Hi guys,

Of course I am in favor of a Church and Community service center for concerts music events and drama.  Our Plan would require only to use existing area and dimensions  and just  rebuild.  Our web site @ oasis-ministries.org has a small picture that appears at top right corner if you wish to see design.

Thanks for asking

Pastor John Curcio
NOTE - The work of Focus has been a joint effort on the part of many volunteers.  If someone's name is mentioned in an email it was not deleted as we do not sensor or edit.  All compliments are extended to every volunteer not just the name mentioned.  Thank you for understanding.
Main Street
                You are doing a great job!  I am glad to see you have gotten your second wind on this issue.  I see from your last emailing, that the main street project is on hold.  It now would be a good time to ask Suffolk County to use those 2 million dollars (Fed Money) they have for downtown pedestrian upgrades to good use.   Remember the meeting we attended?   We can ask them to use that money to move the telephone poles off the sidewalks and into the back yards of the business.  If you don't remember this, I would be happy to talk to you about it.  Keep up the great work.
P.S. I did not see you on the TV were you hiding from the cameras?
Michael Jaycox
President
South Country Shores Civic Association


Plaza theatre ideas

RED LOBSTER restaurant.  Every Red Lobster restaurant around has a tremendous wait to get in. The location would pull folks in from the south shore east and west.
Or a LEGAL SEAFOOD would be nice.

C T

What Our Community Needs

The East Patchogue area is desperately in need of a supermarket.  Since Waldbaum's left town, there is no local, convenient grocery shopping.  Whatever happened to the Shop Rite that was supposed to move in?
Marianne Ryder
   mareryder@optonline.net

P.S.      Great work on the Patchogue Theater issue.  Looks like we are finally moving forward.

I really liked the idea of a cinema arts center that was brought up in the meeting.  A place to show the kinds of films that they show at the Angelica and a place where local cinema arts people could teach classes, kind of like the New School in the city, not necessarily for credit but for enlightenment. You have Art Space going in and two colleges within 5 square miles, lets give 20 somethings and artists a reason to stay.  Instead of a traditional affordable housing how about one that sticks to income guidelines but 1st time buyers have to be under 35. I would love to see an extension of some of the great cafes on Main St. this side of Rte. 112, I would also LOVE to see a Trader Joes, a stationary store, maybe an art supply store, or one of those pottery party places?  A more lounge like coffee shop with iced coffee and baked goods, where you can sit on a couch and read a book.  A yoga place, just some ideas off the top of my head.

Anna Dwyer

PS THRILLED about the sewers!!!

  Suggestions for the Plaza Site

Tom:
We would like to see an Art Cinema Theatre put in that location.  We feel it would enhance community entertainment options as well as increase restaurant patronage to the entire area, especially for the beautiful restaurant that replaced the old Pizza Hut building, Mi Tierrita.

Regards,
Ed and Pat Martell

  Main street requests

Hi Tom,
Thanks for putting this together.
I would love to see, a book store, coffee and food cafe's, women's clothing boutique, gift shop, a hallmark stationary store, and yes a movie theater would be nice too, and
a true italiano bakery!!!  Ha,ha!
Thanks Tom, see you soon.

Stay well, Laura
  Laura Accardi

  Where and when is the meeting tonight?

  Your e-mails are forwarded to Patchogue Shores Residents.
  Where and when is the meeting tonight?
  Please include this info in your next e-mails.
  Thanks

  Media Arts Center

Campbell Dalglish weighing in here. The idea I have been putting forth among my connections and even to Schwartz for the Plaza is nine years old. I now hear of how many other ideas others have been putting their hearts and souls into. I think it would be a good idea to get together to pool our interests and perhaps create a petition to submit to the Town Council that represents our interests, our visions, and our community spirit as united as possible. United we stand a chance of making a difference, right?

I think a most important question for all of us to consider is "What will bring the greatest draw to our Village that will attract the kinds of businesses and patrons that we want looking into our backyards?" Not the SOS and not something you can get at any of the dozens of malls. What would stand at that's unique, different and VERY desirable! Is everyone aware of the 45 live-in art studios units being built on Terry Street in Patchogue for $16M, tax free for 32 years??? How can we be a "Gateway" to that as well as to the Patchogue Theatre?

When the town seizes the Plaza, if they demolish it, that will be at the cost of the new buyer/developer. I am proposing we save the structure, the shell, and gut the building. The structure is solid. If we follow codes of transferral of property, the seller (Schwartz) would have to pay for removing all that toxic waste inside. AND HE SHOULD NOT GET OFF EASY BY LETTING US DEMOLISH A STRUCTURE  THAT ONCE HAD MEANING TO US AND AT OUR COST!!!

For the last four years as a Film Commissioner for Suffolk County working with Michelle Stark and Jim Margo, we have been literally searching for a location for a Media Art Center. I always had my eye on the Plaza. 

We need a model, an example. I will be joining a group of town officials and film commissioners to visit the Jacob Burns Film Center and Media Lab in Pleasantville New York on November 5th. Check it out yourself at www.burnsfilmcenter.org

WHAT WOULD GO INSIDE A PLAZA THEATRE MEDIA ART CENTER (MAC)? THIS WOULD NOT COMPETE WITH THE PATCHOGUE THEATER, BUT COMPLIMENT IT.

1) A MEDIA LEARNING CENTER with multiple facilities where all ages could come to learn how to make films, using music and film production facilities, cameras for rent, editing suites, a music recording studio,computer centers to learn to learn everything in computer technology from creating web design, how to use twitter, flikr, create Facebook, Linked in, Myspace, presentations, family albums, family videos, you name it. There is nothing like this on Long Island. Like other MACs I have researched, members are willing to drive an hour radius to use the facility. Check out www.burnsfilmcenter.org. Look at the education programs they offer to ALL AGES.

2) A SCREENING ROOM for screening films directly out of the Huntington Cinema Art Center. They have an 8000 subscribed member audience that shows up regularly for films you can't find in the big multi-plex cinemas. I have worked there back in 2004 and back then they were looking for a facility on the South Shore to screen their films. Check it out yourself. www.cinemaartscentre.org/ We would also screen films and videos on special evenings created by our own members in the Learning Center.

3) AN INTERNET CAFE where people of all ages could come for a warm beverage and some time on the internet , have meetings, discussions, hang out. A great place for our youths, businesses and community members to meet and greet and work.

4) A STAGE for live musicians to test out their music talents on local audiences in an open mic kind of venue. Think ALIVE AFTER FIVE atmosphere. Check out  www.arlenesgrocery.net/main.html

5) OFFICE SPACES FOR FILM AND MEDIA COMPANIES



WHAT KINDS OF BUSINESSES WOULD A MAC DRAW TO ITS IMMEDIATE LOCATION?

1) COMPUTER STORES (APPLE or COMP-USA, or others)

2) BOOK STORES (BORDERS or BARNES AND NOBLE or others)

3) FILM AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT , CAMERA STORES ,  PRODUCTION SUPPLY  AND RENTAL STORES (B & H)

4) RESTAURANTS, BARS, SPECIALTY FOOD STORES


WHAT KINDS OF PEOPLE WOULD A MAC DRAW TO THE AREA LOOKING INTO OUR BACK YARDS?

1) FAMILIES FROM OVER AN HOUR AWAY.

2) ALL AGES INTERESTED IN THE LATEST MEDIA TECHNOLOGY, FROM VIDEO PROGRAMMING, HOME MOVIES, WEB DESIGN, TO PROFESSIONAL COMMERCIALS AND INDUSTRIAL FILMS.

3) TRAINING CENTER FOR THOSE SEEKING CAREERS IN MEDIA PRODUCTION, COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, FILM, TELEVISION, RADIO BROADCASTING.

4) SPECIAL FILM AUDIENCES LIKE THE 8000 MEMBERS WHO GO TO THE HUNTINGTON CINEMA ART CENTER.

5) FILMMAKERS LOOKING FOR RENTAL EQUIPMENT AND/OR CREW TO MAKE A FILM OR VIDEO ON LONG ISLAND.

6) MUSICIANS SEEKING PRODUCTION OF THEIR FIRST CD.



SO LET'S GET TOGETHER AND DRAW UP A DESIGN AND GET A PETITION TO SUPPORT ALL OUR IDEAS, ONCE WE DECIDE WHAT IT IS WE WANT. THAT'S WHAT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN MUST ACT ON.

Contact me about the MAC.

BLESS ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK, YOUR INSPIRING VOICES AT THE TOWN HALL PUBLIC HEARING, AND FOR YOUR PERSISTENCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, A WONDERFUL DIFFERENCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY!!!

THANK YOU ALL

Campbell Dalglish
dalglish@optonline.net

  Ideas for our town

  From:  AL Lofaso
Recreational/Entertainment
As we are a Shore Line Community an Aquarium located near a waterway.
Outdoor Shallow water pond for Ice skating during winter and Model Sail boating for summer use.
Performing arts, Three more Theaters to provide a East of Manhattan theater district, which will make 4 and if you include Bellport theater would make 5 theaters. They would draw from all of Suffolk and perhaps Nassau communities. Additionally One would include School for the performing arts.
Museum, Cultural and community center/Visitor center.  This would guide visitors to the history of Patchogue, events, Tours of the architecture of our older homes on such streets as Roe Blvd. and awareness of our shore front ferries to the beaches and parks.
Retail/Office/Residential
Mix use of buildings for Office space, Residential Condo's and Rentals. Main St level Retail shops.  Buildings to be set back off the Street to accommodate Café's, Courtyard Dining and Atrium Shopping.
Theme Shopping Centers
Open air markets, Cultural theme  markets, Street Vending  ie  Little Italy, Asian,
South of the Boarder Mexican style, other European themes, etc.
Parking
Where possible two story parking centers that would be muni-meter controlled to pay for the cost. Some head in parking as well.
All of the above should use buildings ranging from 2 story to 4.5 story with different
Facades. 

Al Lofaso
When my son lived in Boston he once moved to an area under revitalization. Over time many attempts had been made to reduce crime and regenerate beauty and safety in the community, however the area had become a magnet for economically challenged, mentally-ill and those who furthered the decline with violence, crime, graffiti and liter. In order to accomplish a successful revitalization, the local police relocated
their precinct into the area. I know it sounds drastic, but it was actually quite successful. His neighborhood once again became safe, sound and productive.
This did not happen overnight of course. The precinct was later sold and is now a condo community that fits nicely into the community and increased value of existing homes in the surrounding area.
Just a thought. Maybe we need a similar jump-start, as there seems to be increasing gang activity, number of homeless, failing businesses and more and more homes up for sale.

Hopeful in Patch
Even though we have some of the basics already, the exterior of most all look very run down.  I am hopeful that we can entice businesses to attract a different class of people. For example, a $5 t-shirt shop will attract people who will spend just that.  If we could get some middle-class to upscale businesses, people might be inclined to walk Main Street.  Although we have a large number of restaurants and bars west of 112, we need to extend those down towards Phyllis.  Restaurants, antique store, stationery, teahouse, coffee bar, Internet cafe, deli, realtors are just a couple ideas.  The closest Panera is in Bohemia.  All-American Burger is a chain burger restaurant.  I think attracting franchises would be ideal because they are well established.  Thanks!
COMMUNITY HALL:

The vacant party store behind MiTierita could be a good location for an
ethnic community center for our hard working Latino community. Get them
involved in East Patchogue's revitalization. Pride helps keep a community
safe and clean. I am not Latino but a representative on Focus East
Patchogue would be beneficial for all.

Think progressive, not bias

Rick

Suggestion

Hello Focus crew.
My suggestion would be for Focus to formally "adopt" the park from the county and town and utilize it as our
"Downtown Centerpiece" so to speak for East Patchogue. Marketing plans for the community at large could be implemented
such as seasonally changing displays with lighting, a mini arboretum complete with small education signage and displays that could be supported and installed by local landscapers, bird housing, small educational signage about the lake and waterway and how we can all help protect and preserve etc.
Since we lack a central downtown area, this spot with its high visibility, has great potential to help assist in this role in my opinion.
Another "centerpiece" would be for Focus to help create a beautiful frontage display at the lake on South Country Road.
The trees could be trimmed or replaced, brick could be installed, a few old style lights installed and benches for people to enjoy the lake.
This also could be commercially supported by local landscapers. Key for commercial support is marketing their names and work of course.
That's my 2 cents for now. Thank you for the opportunity to make suggestions.
Doug Steigerwald

PS: Thank you to everyone for all the hard work helping make East Patchogue a better place to live, work and invest in!

My wife and I discussed what we would like to see go on E Main St, in E Patchogue NY. The greatest need for the people in E Patchogue is a supermarket. Since Waldbaum left, it's been a pain either having to go to Stop & Shop or Pathmark, neither one very close. We also would like some kind of resolution re: Wall Mart. We understand that where they want to put it might not be an ideal location, but would hope the town could work with them and find a location that would benefit all. I know you mentioned the kind of taxes a business would contribute and would help all of us with the high property taxes. Because they use non union help is not a good enough reason not to build it! We appreciate all you do in regard to E Patchogue. Wished Marita could have been at the 2nd Town Hall meeting, we know how much effort she's put into this. Congratulations on your victory re: the Plaza Theater. We're thinking about Marita and hope things turn out well for her. She's got a rough row to hoe.
Regards,
Dave & Phyllis Dayton

  LEARNING CENTER:

  The Brookhaven facility next to the Plaza could be used for a children's
  learning center. This building can easily be adapted to a teaching
  facility. Something with notoriety like Sylvan or Huntington learning
  center. This can be bundled with adult education and English classes. The
  location has adequate parking and a bus stop across the street. This
  will bring more people into the village.

  This complements the idea of a media art center  for a cohesive learning
  and art district of East Patchogue.

   Rick

  Hi East Patchogue Community

  We think the Media Arts Lab/Film Center concept is fantastic!  It will
  build on the growing Arts Niche in Patchogue and provide an attraction
  and reason to visit our downtown.  This is exactly what we need for a
  successful revitalization.  It will spur interest and investment
  opportunities for the entire corridor.

  We always thought that demolishing the Plaza was the solution to
  eliminating the blight from our community.  But the Plaza has become a
  landmark of East Patchogue and we should use that to our advantage.  A
  complete renovation of the building as an Art House Theatre will
  preserve the history of structure, add character to our downtown area,
  reduce the environmental impact of tearing down the building, and bring
  a massive amount of people and interest into our town.  The renovated
  Plaza rendering and site plan look beautiful and we would love to see
  this concept become a part of East Patchogue!   

    Thank you all,
    Tom, Kristen and Taylor Dixon