EPCAL

The Heart of Riverhead Civic Association is hosting a program about plans for the Calverton Enterprise park, to be presented by EPCAL Watch Thursday, Aug. 17 at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall.

Guest column: What was actually revealed last night was an unwillingness to acknowledge the obvious: that our current decision-makers lack the confidence and competency to either own or fix the problem that is EPCAL. With a staggeringly bad result.

“I personally apologize for the confusion that was created when it [an air cargo hub] was referenced by a professional consultant as a hypothetical concept of full buildout,” Calverton Aviation & Technology CEO Justin Ghermezian told the Riverhead IDA board at the Aug. 8, 2023 public information meeting. Residents stepped to the podium to say they didn't believe the applicant's re-characterization of the plans presented last September.

Officials can require the developer to file covenants ensuring that this property will never be used for air cargo. Let's protect our environment and use our industrial land and public dollars to support employers that will benefit local workers. Long Island can have good jobs and clean air.

Representatives from Calverton Aviation & Technology will update the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency and Riverhead residents on their current vision for the proposed project at Calverton Enterprise Park on Monday, Aug. 7, immediately following the regular IDA meeting. A public comment period will be provided.

The public information session with the Triple Five affiliate will be held “so that the agency and the public can get a more detailed understanding of its proposed project,” said Tracy Stark-James, citing Justin Ghermezian's July 11 letter to RiverheadLOCAL.

Guest column: Has the threat of an air cargo distribution hub at EPCAL disappeared?  Or has it just been put in a memory hole? Too many questions remain unanswered.

Guest column: Calverton Aviation & Technology CEO Justin Ghermezian says the company "will continue to work with the town to create a plan" for EPCAL consistent with the town's vision for the site and "these development plans will not include a cargo jetport."

Hubbard said even though the proposal may comply with zoning, "it's not anything we're ever going to let happen." He also said he expects CAT to present modified plans to the IDA and said he's not sure the IDA will approve the application for financial assistance anyway.

Guest column by Council Member Tim Hubbard: "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."