Panico Touts Stony Brook’s Farmingville Expansion

Last week, the South Shore Press told you about Stony Brook Medicine’s plans for a major expansion in Farmingville. Now, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico spoke extensively with us about the project and what it will mean for the community.

South Shore Press: What exactly is Stony Brook proposing in Farmingville?

Supervisor Panico: They’ve filed an application to occupy the approximately 30,000-square-foot former Amazon Fresh building on North Ocean Avenue and construct roughly another 30,000 square feet along Horseblock Road. This is a much better land use than a retail strip center, in my opinion.

South Shore Press: Why is Stony Brook looking beyond its main hospital campus?

Supervisor Panico: They track where their patients come from to make it more accessible and convenient for their patients. They’re really working to get out into the community and provide greater access when it comes to health care.

South Shore Press: We’ve already seen Stony Brook expand into the former Sears property at Smith Haven Mall. Is Farmingville part of that same strategy?

Supervisor Panico: Yes. The Lake Grove location has been successful, but that success has also created parking and capacity pressures. Additional locations allow Stony Brook to bring services closer to patients while relieving pressure elsewhere.

South Shore Press: What would this mean specifically for Farmingville and central Brookhaven?

Supervisor Panico: The level of care and the availability of care for Brookhaven residents is rising. Farmingville did not have, immediately — and it’s in the middle of Brookhaven Town — access to this level, high level of care. So that’s a great thing.

South Shore Press: Who has been working with the town on the proposal?

Supervisor Panico: Councilman Neil Manzella and I have been working with Stony Brook officials, particularly William Wertheim and Dr. Todd Griffin. They’re a dynamic duo who understand that expanding health care also means working cooperatively with communities on zoning, planning and land-use issues.