Hubbard on cargo jetport at EPCAL: ‘I will never let that happen.’

It’s time to be clear about the potential of the EPCAL site becoming a cargo jetport.

The Town Board and Town Supervisor have the collective authority to approve or deny all proposed development plans at EPCAL. There is no way that I or any other responsible public official would ever approve any plan that would have this type of significant negative environmental impact on our town’s quality of life.

I will never let that happen. Not on my watch, and I am watching closely.

MORE: Hubbard says he won’t let EPCAL become a cargo jetport, believes purchaser will soon unveil modified plans, and casts doubt on IDA approval

Throughout the process, I have had my doubts about the sale of the EPCAL property to CAT and consistently voiced my thoughts on what should be developed at the former Grumman site. I will only support and approve redevelopment of the site with the same vision the Town had when we accepted the transfer of the property from the federal government and as specifically limited by the studies and zoning adopted by the Town and the conditions included in the Agreement of Sale.

At public meetings over the years, I have questioned Triple Five, the controlling member of CAT, in an effort to receive its commitment to redevelop the property the way the Town and its residents want EPCAL redeveloped. We want the redevelopment of EPCAL to expand the Town tax base and create jobs and careers for town residents. We want this property to be developed in a way that provides good opportunities for our children to work, live and make a future in Riverhead rather than leaving town as is happening today. At the same time, we do not want any development that would negatively impact our environment and quality of life. Remember this all must pass muster of the Riverhead IDA first.

Recently, I attended the public forum hosted by the Town of Riverhead IDA and heard the fears expressed by so many of my fellow Town residents. I agree that Triple Five must earn my trust, and the trust of the residents of the Town of Riverhead, that it will redevelop the EPCAL property in the best interests of the Town and its residents. I demand that Triple Five commit that its redevelopment plans will exclude a cargo jetport. I will also require that covenants be signed protecting the property from ever becoming an air cargo port, and the protection of the + /- 1000 acres from development.

But that doesn’t tell the whole story. Rather than focus on what will never be approved, we need to recognize what uses the Town will approve as part of the redevelopment of EPCAL.

Well then, could those historic runways be used in cooperation with research and development of new and emerging technologies that utilize the runways as part of their business? I say yes. That infrastructure is, in part, a reason why the EPCAL property is so valuable and attractive to emerging technology industries that will deliver local high paying jobs for workers who would then shop locally, buy Riverhead homes, pay taxes, and raise families.

From innovative aerospace research and manufacturing to a bio medical center to a wind turbine assembly plant to an artificial intelligence lab, the property is limited only by the developer’s imagination and marketing. The future of the EPCAL property must result in the creation of thousands of well-paying jobs, the opportunity for exciting careers, and the tax revenue it will generate that will become an important part of Riverhead Town’s economy.

Generations of Riverhead residents have been born since the last Grumman plane departed Calverton. It is time a public-private partnership made good on the promise of what this property is capable of achieving for the people of Riverhead. We literally cannot afford to once again push off redevelopment of our most valuable asset into the future or we run the risk of losing the very real emerging technology and manufacturing opportunities that may choose to locate elsewhere rather than at EPCAL.

Triple Five CAT has signed an agreement that is specific to what they can and cannot do at EPCAL. The Town of Riverhead has not given up, nor will it ever give up, its ability to review, manage and approve or reject proposed uses on this property. What this public servant will continue to demand from Triple Five throughout the EPCAL redevelopment process is transparency, integrity, innovation, and results.  There will be no cargo jetport developed at EPCAL. Let’s get on with the development of our Town’s future.

Tim Hubbard, an Aquebogue resident, was first elected to the Town Board in 2015. He has decided not to run for a third term of office and instead is seeking election as town supervisor in this November’s general election.

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