Future of EPCAL

Codify the Citizens Cooperative Development Team

by Andrew Leven

My two cents re Epcal  citizens cooperative development team- it is not about giving Tim advice (although that certainly matters). 

It is about whether or not the town is going to give residents an actual voice on Epcal. Not winks. Not informal understandings and quiet hopes. Not using the public when convenient. 

Simply put we need the formalization. We need it now. We need to push for it. Because we already tried winks, informal understandings and quiet hopes and we know the effort required to dodge that bullet.

Formalization means the Town finally acknowledges that the residents should be at the table. A decision to not formalize means they still reject that basic critical principle. Which is unacceptable. Let's do the work now of mobilizing the community to press this issue and save hundreds of hours later relitigating the next idiotic proposed use of Epcal that will inevitably emerge if the community is again fenced out when proposed uses are being considered on the front end.

Turning Legal Limbo into Opportunity: Riverhead’s Path Forward at EPCAL

by Robert Gass

The situation surrounding the proposed development at EPCAL (Enterprise Park at Calverton) has become a complex and contentious issue for the Town of Riverhead. The saga began when Calverton Aviation & Technology (CAT), primarily owned by the Canadian conglomerate Triple Five, entered into a contract in 2018 to purchase over 1,600 acres of land at EPCAL for $40 million. The plan was to transform the site into a hub for industry and innovation, with a focus on logistics centers and potentially using the site's runways for aviation-related activities.

However, this project quickly met with local opposition, primarily due to concerns that it would lead to the creation of a cargo jetport. Residents and local civic groups were alarmed when a CAT engineer’s presentation hinted at such a use, despite later denials from CAT. The controversy deepened when the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency (IDA) refused to grant CAT the necessary financial incentives, citing the company’s failure to clearly outline its development plans and demonstrate the project's financial viability.

In October 2023, the Riverhead Town Board voted unanimously to cancel the contract with CAT, effectively putting the project on hold. CAT responded by filing a lawsuit against the town, accusing it of deliberately scheming to avoid fulfilling its contractual obligations. The lawsuit has resulted in a legal stalemate that prevents the town from selling or further developing the property until the dispute is resolved, which could take up to five years.

Given this protracted legal battle, it would be unwise for the town to sit idly by for the next half-decade. Instead, Riverhead should take this time to meticulously plan for the future of EPCAL. The town could begin by outlining a detailed and community-supported vision for the site, which addresses environmental concerns, economic benefits, and potential uses that align with the needs and desires of the residents. By engaging in proactive planning now, Riverhead can ensure that once the legal dust settles, it is ready to move forward with a project that genuinely benefits the community, rather than scrambling to react to whatever proposal happens to be on the table.

The town has a unique opportunity to turn this legal pause into a period of thoughtful preparation, ensuring that when the time comes, they are not only ready to proceed but are doing so with a clear and community-backed plan. Waiting passively would only serve to waste valuable time, potentially leading to rushed decisions in the future. Riverhead must use this time wisely to prepare for the eventual development of EPCAL in a way that aligns with the community's long-term interests.

This approach would demonstrate true leadership and foresight—qualities that have been lacking in the EPCAL saga so far.

This current legal impasse surrounding the EPCAL site in Riverhead presents a golden opportunity for the town to engage in a well-structured, professional-led planning process that can set the stage for a successful and community-supported development in the future, regardless of who wins the lawsuit. Rather than relying on committees filled with non-professionals or politically motivated individuals, the town should consider a strategic investment in engaging experts across multiple disciplines to conduct thorough studies and provide actionable recommendations. Here's how this approach could be structured:

1. Engage Urban Planning and Public Consultation Experts

• Role: These professionals can facilitate comprehensive public consultations, ensuring that community members have a voice in the development process. By using surveys, town hall meetings, and focus groups, they can gather valuable input on what residents want and need from the EPCAL development.
• Benefit: This approach ensures that the final plan has broad community support, reducing the risk of future opposition and aligning the project with local priorities.

2. Hire Environmental Law and Impact Assessment Consultants

• Role: These consultants can assess the environmental implications of various development options, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. They can also identify potential constraints and opportunities related to the site's unique ecological characteristics.
• Benefit: A well-informed environmental strategy will not only ensure regulatory compliance but also enhance the sustainability and appeal of the development.

3. Commission Financial Analysts and Economists

• Role: Financial experts can conduct feasibility studies to evaluate the economic viability of different development scenarios. They can analyze potential revenue streams, return on investment, and the economic impact on the local community.
• Benefit: By understanding the financial implications, the town can pursue development options that are both economically sound and beneficial to the community.

4. Consult with Engineering and Infrastructure Specialists

• Role: Engineering consultants can assess the technical feasibility of various development plans, including infrastructure requirements such as transportation, utilities, and waste management. They can also identify any structural challenges related to the site's existing assets, like the runways.
• Benefit: Ensuring that the development is technically feasible and well-integrated into the existing infrastructure will prevent costly overruns and logistical challenges.

5. Leverage Government Relations and Incentive Experts

• Role: Professionals with expertise in government incentives can identify and secure grants, tax breaks, and other financial incentives at the local, state, and federal levels. They can also navigate the complex regulatory landscape to ensure the project benefits from available resources.
• Benefit: Maximizing government incentives can significantly reduce the project's cost and increase its appeal to potential developers and investors.

6. Develop a Comprehensive Master Plan

• Role: With input from all the above experts, the town can create a detailed master plan that outlines the vision, goals, and specific steps needed to develop EPCAL. This plan should include zoning recommendations, infrastructure plans, environmental safeguards, and financial projections.
• Benefit: A master plan provides a clear roadmap for development, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and that the project progresses smoothly once the legal issues are resolved.

7. Create a Professional Steering Committee

• Role: Instead of a committee of non-professionals or party-affiliated individuals, a steering committee composed of the engaged experts, town officials, and select community representatives should be formed. This committee would oversee the planning process, ensuring that it remains on track and aligned with the town's goals.
• Benefit: A professionally guided steering committee would bring accountability, transparency, and expertise to the project, leading to better outcomes.

Investing in professional expertise now will save the town from potential headaches down the line. Rather than waiting for the lawsuit to conclude, Riverhead should seize this opportunity to plan thoughtfully and meticulously. By doing so, the town can ensure that when the legal dust settles, it is not only ready to proceed but is doing so with a clear, detailed, and community-backed plan that will benefit everyone involved.

This approach represents a far better use of time and resources than relying on well-meaning but inexperienced committees. It positions Riverhead to emerge from this legal battle stronger and more prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that EPCAL presents.

There are companies and consulting firms that specialize in providing comprehensive services across urban planning, environmental law, financial analysis, engineering, and government relations. These firms often operate under the umbrella of "multi-disciplinary consulting firms" or "integrated planning and development firms." Here are some examples and their specialties:

AECOM

   - Specialties: AECOM is a global firm that offers services in urban planning, environmental consulting, engineering, financial analysis, and government relations. They work on large-scale infrastructure and development projects, providing end-to-end solutions from conceptualization to implementation.

   - Services: Environmental impact assessments, economic feasibility studies, infrastructure design, community engagement, and securing government incentives.

ARUP

   -Specialties: ARUP is known for its expertise in engineering, urban planning, and sustainability consulting. They provide integrated solutions that cover all aspects of development projects, including legal and financial considerations.

   - Services: Urban master planning, environmental consulting, financial modeling, engineering design, and public consultation.

HDR

   - Specialties: HDR is a multi-disciplinary firm that focuses on architecture, engineering, environmental services, and strategic consulting. They offer a holistic approach to development projects, including government and public affairs consulting.

   - Services: Environmental assessments, engineering design, financial planning, and public policy consulting.

WSP Global

   - Specialties: WSP Global provides consultancy services in engineering, environmental science, and urban planning. They work with both public and private sectors on complex projects requiring a multi-faceted approach.

   - Services: Feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, urban planning, engineering design, and public consultation.

Tetra Tech

   - Specialties: Tetra Tech offers consulting, engineering, and technical services. They are particularly strong in environmental consulting, but also provide urban planning, financial consulting, and engineering services.

   - Services: Environmental compliance, urban and regional planning, infrastructure design, financial analysis, and government relations.

What These Firms Offer

These firms offer a broad range of services that are critical to large-scale development projects like EPCAL, including:

- Urban and Regional Planning: Developing comprehensive master plans that align with community goals and regulatory requirements.

- Environmental Consulting: Conducting impact assessments and ensuring compliance with environmental laws.

- Engineering Design: Designing infrastructure that supports the proposed development, including transportation and utilities.

- Financial Analysis: Performing feasibility studies to ensure the economic viability of the project.

- Government Relations and Public Affairs: Navigating the regulatory landscape and securing government incentives, while also managing public engagement and consultation processes.

Why Use These Firms?

Engaging with a multi-disciplinary firm allows for a seamless and integrated approach to development. These firms have the expertise and resources to manage all aspects of a project under one roof, ensuring that every component—from environmental impact to economic feasibility—is aligned and that the project moves forward efficiently and effectively. This holistic approach is far superior to relying on fragmented efforts from multiple smaller consultants or committees, which can lead to miscommunication, delays, and increased costs.

These firms would be ideal partners for Riverhead as it navigates the complexities of the EPCAL development, ensuring that the project is both legally sound and financially viable, while also being environmentally responsible and community-focused.

Additional personal thoughts

Having professionals come in and design the project from head to toe is the way to go. Get it out of the hands of the politicians who are trying to do it piecemeal. Get a commitment from them. Make the Town Board sign off on it. They are vulnerable right now because of all the mistakes they have made and the bad press. Decide on an overall theme.

You want something that is both for the Townspeople to enjoy along with something that provides jobs for them. High paying jobs or a mix. A combination. There is no vision in this town. It is all pay to play.  The simplest answer is an industrial park like the Hauppauge Industrial Park. One- or two-story buildings. Big wide streets. Lots of landscaping. You need a hook. Cover the runways and the taxiways with solar panels. Offer free electricity to all new occupants. 

Have one developer. Build it out one company building at a time as they sign contracts. Raise the solar panels off the ground and use the runways for parking or lease part of that space to car dealers for storage or sales or for some type of automobile use. Put a couple of BESS facilities there. Encapsulate them and have dikes around them so they can be flooded easily if there is a problem, using river water. Build a data center or two. Free electric for the data centers will be attractive. They use tons of power.  

Have an overall picture of what you will present to the professionals, so they have something to work on. If the Town loses the lawsuit use the plan as a starting point for negotiating. Couple that with some form of recreational space. Zip line. Nature walks. Bird watching . Bird sanctuary. Experimental farms. Food trucks. Playgrounds. Picnic areas. Driving school on the weekend when businesses are closed. Museums. Make sure there are few if any tax breaks. Make it a paradise , a place for the townspeople to enjoy without breaking the bank. No expensive restaurants and no phony companies with politically appointed CEOs taking up space.

There are a million ideas out there to give the people a place to enjoy and still put money in the politicians' pockets. I sent in ideas for a campus called "The American Institute of Artificial Intelligence" (AIAI) partnered with Brookhaven Labs and Stonybrook University, I sent in plans and ideas for "The Triple R Railroad, (Riverhead RailRoad) with trains using the spur coming from the west and then shuttle trains taking visitors to the east using the LIRR tracks with stops at the Outlets and Raceway, Downtown Riverhead, the wineries with food trucks etc, all coupled with other ideas that I put forward, too many to go over again.