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major developer has unveiled a plan to revitalize Mastic Beach's downtown area, but not everyone is on board. The Beechwood Organization presented a master plan for the Brookhaven Town hamlet last week, which would require multiple rezonings and approvals to move forward. The proposal calls for building 600 homes, including apartments above stores and townhouses, as well as creating 130,000 square feet of commercial space for restaurants, shops, and more.

    The $400 million to $500 million project would span 37 acres and include infrastructure upgrades, a new park, and a library/community center. The plan also allocates 2,300 parking spaces and sets aside 20% of the housing units for affordable options. Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico sees this as an opportunity for Mastic Beach to thrive, saying "Mastic Beach is an area whose time has come."

    However, concerns are emerging about traffic access and displacement of residents. Some homeowners have already rejected offers from Beechwood to purchase their properties. The developer was selected by Brookhaven two years ago to lead the revitalization effort, which aims to transform the area into a vibrant downtown hub.