What is the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund and how did it come to be?
The New Suffolk Waterfront Fund, Inc. (Fund) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization which was established for the purpose of purchasing, protecting and enhancing the waterfront property on First Street in New Suffolk for the benefit of the community. Here is a brief history of how the organization came into being.
Over the last several decades, various developments were proposed for the waterfront property on First Street, including condominiums in the 1980s, a large marina and conference center in the 1990’s, and most recently a “rack and stack” boat storage operation. None of these projects, however, was in keeping with the history, character, and scale of the hamlet, and one by one, in the face of vigorous opposition from the community organized through the New Suffolk Civic Association, these development ventures were abandoned.
In 2005, some members of the New Suffolk Civic Association resolved to take a more proactive stance and proposed buying the property. To accomplish this purchase, they established a 501(c)(3) organization, the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund, Inc. (Fund), and proposed a collaborative effort with the Peconic Land Trust (Trust) which had long been interested in conservation of the property. Using monies from its revolving fund and other Trust assets, the Trust negotiated a “bargain sale” with the prior owners, acquiring the entire 5.5.-acre property (2.1 acres are underwater) for $2.4M. The sale was finalized in December 2007. The Trust's assets essentially represent a "bridge loan" for the acquisition by the Fund of the waterfront parcel since the assets need to be restored to the Trust within three years of the purchase date. In June of 2009, the Fund and the Trust finalized a contract for purchase of the property by the Fund. This would replenish the Trust’s funds and provide for the Fund to assume ownership of the property by the end of 2010. A critically important element of the agreement between the Trust and the Fund is a conservation easement requiring that at least 57% of the property be accessible to the community in perpetuity.
Who manages the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund?
The Fund is governed by a 15 member board of directors (link to list of directors). The directors are all residents of either New Suffolk or surrounding Cutchogue and bring a broad range of experience in business, farming, local government, administration, education and finance to the Board. The Trust is also represented at the board meetings. In addition, the board is advised by a professional land use planner and by a local attorney with considerable experience in land-related issues. This board is responsible for ensuring the success of The Fund’s mission (link to mission). New members are recommended by the Governance Committee (link to committees), which are then voted on by the full board.
What is the relationship between the Peconic Land Trust and The Fund?
The Trust and the Fund work closely together in making decisions about the site and support each other in fundraising activities. The Trust will own the property until the Fund acquires it in 12/2010.. In the meantime, though, the Fund oversees management, maintenance and use of the site.
What is a conservation easement and what is the implication for the New Suffolk Waterfront site?
A conservation easement is a voluntary, legally binding agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization or municipality that protects, in perpetuity, a significant portion of the property’s natural resources and limits certain types of uses or prevents development which would otherwise be permitted from taking place on the land.
In our case, the Trust will hold the conservation easement which goes into effect upon the sale of the property to the Fund. At least 57% of the 3.4 acres of upland property will be conserved for recreational and open space uses and be accessible to the community in perpetuity. This could include a community center, sailing club, maritime uses and related infrastructure. The easement is currently in draft form and will become final only when the purchase is completed by the Fund.
What is envisioned on the site, once the purchase is completed?
While the conservation easement requires that at least 57% of the property be dedicated to conservation and community uses, our goal is to retain at least 90% of the site as open space. The beach and most of the upland area would be accessible to the public. As part of the preserved area, we envision a sailing school, community center, and a modest small boat storage area. We also envision a small restaurant, continued marina usage, and limited low level winter boat storage. The site will have naturalized dune landscaping with an amphitheater for community events. A site for outdoor events would be created in the open area where the road dead ends near the Bay. (link to site plan) In the future there could be a small history museum and other resources housed in the existing barn. There are no plans to build new buildings except for a sailing school on the south side. Rather, existing buildings would be moved and refurbished as needed.
Are there other possible uses for the site being considered?
Other uses need to be explored should the cost of sustaining the site exceed the activities envisioned in the answer to the question above. The Fund welcomes suggestions and encourages you to be in touch with us. Contact us by clicking here.
Who has donated to the Fund so far? How is the Fund going to raise the remaining funds to purchase the land?
To date, the Fund has raised $1.2 M towards the replenishment goal of $2.6M (including $200,000 closing and administrative costs). The more than 260 contributions received to date include a large grant from a local charitable foundation, several other six figure individual donations, more than a dozen over $10,000 and smaller donations from multiple sectors, including about 33% of all New Suffolk full-time and summer residents. All of New Suffolk’s existing local businesses have made financial or in-kind contributions. Other donors include people from Cutchogue, Mattituck, and other hamlets of Southold Town and former residents of New Suffolk.
To raise the remaining funds, the Fund will continue outreach to individual donors – both new and prior supporters. We have written several grants for matching funds to support acquisition of the property. We will also host several fundraising events on the site. The strong and immediate support of the entire community is urgently needed if the property is to become a place that we can collectively enjoy for generations to come.
What role does the New Suffolk Community or the larger North Fork community play in decisions about what happens on the site?
As a not-for-profit, conservation organization, the Fund, through its Board, will continue to seek input from the New Suffolk community and other groups that have an interest in how this vital resource is developed for recreational, educational, and commercial uses. As the site plan evolves, there will continue to be outreach meetings with the community.
The Trust will stay on in an advisory capacity with some oversight control.
What are the implications of different zoning possibilities for the site?
Currently, the site is zoned Marine II. This allows for a very intense, single purpose use such as a full scale marina or boat yard with accessory activities- private restaurant, ferry terminal, or a hotel . Some of these are uses our community has fought for the last 22 years. This zoning does not fit our goal of having diverse, low impact uses such as community and educational facilities, boat slips, limited boat storage, and small commercial ventures like a small restaurant or sailing school, to complement the open space of the site. The Fund is working with the Town and the Trust to develop a new zoning designation which we are currently referring to as Marine Heritage District. This new zoning designation would be a benefit town wide and would allow for multiple, small impact uses which are prevented under current zoning.
There was once a restaurant on the site. Why can’t there be one again with current zoning?
The restaurant operated on the site with a special permit which has since expired. However, without an ‘exception’ which can only be issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals on a discretionary basis, the restaurant use cannot be renewed.
What happens if the Fund can’t raise the money to purchase the site and in particular, what happens to the funds that have been donated?
While the Fund fully intends to purchase the site, we may not be able to raise sufficient funds for the balance of what we owe the Trust by the end of 2010. If we choose not to pursue financing, the Trust will need to sell the property in order to replenish its revolving funds. If this happens, the Trust has expressed its intent to conserve and protect as much of the property’s scenic, historic, recreational and open space values as is practical. Donated funds are turned over to the Trust at the end of each year.
What is the business plan that will assure funds to maintain/sustain the site?
A business plan is being developed which assures that, once the purchase of the site is complete, there will be the financial resources available through rentals for boat spaces, a sailing school, events, and a small restaurant to maintain and sustain the site. The extent of revenue generating activities on the site will be determined by carrying costs such as taxes, insurance, maintenance and administration and the cost of interest due on any funds borrowed to complete the purchase of the property. Fundraising will be ongoing for renovation, repair and capital improvements.
What does it mean to preserve the waterfront?
The Fund is seeking to preserve open space for public benefit, to preserve scenic views along with peace and quiet, to preserve the waterfront as a center of activity for the community, to preserve the historic marine use of the site and to protect the land in perpetuity from large scale, for-profit development.
Who will have access to the site?
Most of site will be accessible to those who can walk or ride a bicycle. Access for the larger community will most likely be limited by the number of parking spaces available under the Town’s site plan review and property limitations. However, the access issue is still being studied by the Board.
What is the timeline for accomplishing the vision of the Fund?
December 15, 2010:
- Purchase of the property from the Trust
Beyond this fixed date, the activities below will be contingent on fundraising so the dates are approximate.
By summer of 2011:
- Completion of the initial phase of septic system construction so that more activities can be accommodated on the site.
- Landscaping of an area to accommodate special events.
- Construction of paths, parking, and viewing area.
- Relocation of the submarine memorial to the site.
By summer of 2012:
- Renovation of the Galley Ho as a community center and small restaurant.
Here are some other key activities planned for the site:
- Reconstruction of the revetment and the docks.
- Renovation of the barn and creation of an amphitheater space.
Why are barriers placed at the end of Main Street ? And why is the southern portion of the property fenced?
With the advice of the Town Highway Department, barriers were located at the end of Main Street to discourage parking on the site until a more comprehensive management and conservation plan has been developed. The fencing has remained for the same reason.
Could the community, if it so voted, use local taxes to support the waterfront?
Yes, but it requires a vote of 50% of Cutchogue and New Suffolk residents to establish a park district through which taxes could be raised. A local park district could, to a certain extent, restrict access to district residents.
How successful was A Day in New Suffolk?
For our first year, the day went very well. $11,000 was raised towards the purchase of the property. With lessons learned, we hope for an even more successful event next year.
We look to you, the community, for substantial support in completing our goal of purchasing and then improving the New Suffolk waterfront. Thank you for all the support you have given to date.
