Heatherwood Communities Selected to Transform State-Owned Conklin Street Site into 495-Unit Mixed-Income Housing Development in East Farmingdale

Empire State Development today announced the selection of Heatherwood Communities, LLC as the designated developer for the long-awaited redevelopment of the State-owned Conklin Street site in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County. The more than $200 million mixed-income housing development will transform an underutilized 13-acre property into a vibrant residential community featuring approximately 495 new homes, including over 100 affordable units targeted to households earning an average of 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).

The project represents a major milestone in New York State’s strategy to address the housing shortage by leveraging publicly owned land to unlock housing supply while delivering economic, workforce, and community benefits for Long Island residents.

The Conklin Street redevelopment will replace a long-vacant, environmentally challenged former airplane manufacturing site with a modern, transit-oriented residential neighborhood. In addition to new housing, the project includes environmental remediation, landscaped open space, pedestrian amenities, and an “Airplane Park” public open space honoring the site’s aviation history.

Beyond housing delivery, the project is structured to generate meaningful economic participation for local small businesses and workers, supported by Empire State Development’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB), and local hiring requirements embedded in the development agreement.

Empire State Development noted that the project reflects a coordinated approach to housing and economic development, combining housing production with affordability, environmental cleanup, and opportunities for local businesses and residents to participate in the work.

Small businesses interested in participating in the Conklin Street redevelopment should be aware of several formal compliance requirements and engagement pathways that create direct contracting opportunities.

The project carries an overall 30 percent MWBE participation goal, split evenly between Minority-Owned and Women-Owned businesses. MWBEs may participate as subcontractors, suppliers, and professional service providers across construction, demolition, environmental remediation, design, engineering, landscaping, materials, logistics, and ongoing site operations.

Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses are encouraged to engage as subcontractors and suppliers, with a required 6 percent participation target under the project’s contracting framework.

MWBE and SDVOB participation is contractually enforceable. Contractors must submit utilization plans, document outreach efforts, track payments, and report participation throughout the life of the project. Firms that are certified, or in the process of certification, are encouraged to prepare capability statements and engage early.

The development formally encourages the use of New York State-based businesses, reinforcing local supply chain participation and in-state economic retention. For small businesses, early engagement is essential. Companies should confirm their New York State MWBE or SDVOB certification status, monitor procurement outreach tied to the project, and prepare to respond to subcontracting and supplier opportunities as the project advances.

The Conklin Street redevelopment is also expected to generate hundreds of construction-phase jobs and long-term permanent positions related to property management, maintenance, landscaping, security, and building operations.

The developer is required to implement a Local Hiring Plan describing how the project will prioritize employment opportunities for local residents, particularly those in Suffolk County. The project is expected to engage local workforce organizations, unions, training providers, and community groups to expand access to job opportunities created during construction and ongoing operations.

Employment opportunities are anticipated across skilled trades, environmental remediation, construction management, facilities operations, and property services. Job seekers are encouraged to follow announcements from community organizations, workforce partners, and project representatives as hiring timelines and training pathways are announced.

Heatherwood Communities, a Long Island-based developer with more than 75 years of experience and over 14,000 residential units built across Nassau and Suffolk counties, brings deep expertise in brownfield remediation and long-term property ownership and management. The selection followed a competitive Request for Proposals process led by Empire State Development.

The project will undergo environmental review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), with public engagement opportunities and additional state and federal approvals required prior to construction.

By aligning housing production with local business participation, workforce access, and environmental remediation, the Conklin Street redevelopment sets a precedent for inclusive, community-focused development on Long Island.