Waterfront Revitalization Aims to Add 'Green Space', Improve Traffic, Parking and Circulation

A final presentation for the waterfront revitalization plan was received well by the board and most residents at its final presentation at Village Hall Monday.

Bob Tumilowicz, Project Manager for the Village of Port Jefferson, and Michael Schwarting of Campani and Schwarting Architects presented the plan as the next step in culminating years of work.

Tumilowicz pointed out that they have been awarded over 33 development grants totaling over $7 million for waterfront development projects, and through their relationship with the state hope to acquire more in moving forward.

"I'd like to think that the revitalization began in 1997 when the Village bought the Mobil oil property," he said. "Since then we had the Village Center in 2005, the Harborfront Park in 2008 and Harborwalk in 2013. This revitalization plan builds on what we've already accomplished."

The Harborwalk near Danfords is one of five 'project' areas in the plan, which hope to accomplish multiple goals, including creating more green space by the harbor and improve traffic, parking and pedestrian and vehicular circulation.

"What we did was relocate a lot of the parking away from the water's edge, and actually wound up with an addition of parking in the end," Tumilowicz said.

The plan includes an extended ferry dock and two-story ferry building, which would not be higher than the existing building or the ferry itself. The loading dock would be moved away from the street, and the addition of a park and amphitheater closer to the water is included as well. While the plan includes moving parking away from the water, in the end Tumilowicz estimated that there would be an additional 79 spots total.

"We've already worked on several other components, and the third part of the plan of course is the upper port revitalization plan which the board adopted about three months ago," said Mayor Margot Garant. 

"We're really thrilled about this because we love our waterfront and we're really looking at improving the westerly side of the harbor at this point and increasing green space there."