Rechlers Still Awaiting Final Approval To Break Ground On Hamptons Business District

The developers behind the Hampton Business District at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton have some more work to do before construction can begin on the first of eight buildings that will make up the highly anticipated industrial park off Old Riverhead Road.

The Southampton Town Planning Board requested additional information from the developers, Gregg and Mitchell Rechler, during a meeting last month before deciding whether or not the site plan for the light industrial building could be deemed complete. After the August 23 meeting, Town Planning Board Chairman Dennis Finnerty said the site plan for the 58,500-square-foot research-and-development building still requires more engineering data before it can be considered complete and a public hearing can be scheduled.

“We haven’t really seen the specifics,” Mr. Finnerty said. “But the project has already been approved by the Town Board, so our role is just to make sure that what they bring in is in accordance with the Town Board approvals.”

The site plan submitted by the developers is the first to be considered by the Planning Board, and it must be approved before ground can be broken on the 439,355-square-foot Hampton Business District. The Rechlers, who own Rechler Equity Partners, signed a 40-year lease with Suffolk County to develop 55 acres at the county-owned property in 2009.

Lloyd Singer, a spokesman for the Rechlers, said that, pending final site plan approval, construction on phase one of the project is set to begin in the early spring.

According to site plan maps provided by the town, the first building would be constructed on nearly 6.5 acres located south and east of the traffic circle, near the main entrance to the airport. The one-story building would also feature 120 parking spaces.

The Rechlers have not yet disclosed what companies would be leasing space at the building, though they have stated in the past that they have been approached by several firms that are interested in relocating to Westhampton.

Mitchell Rechler said in a prepared statement released this week that he and his cousin have picked a chain that will operate a 145-room hotel that will eventually be built and serve as the cornerstone of the complex. He added that an official announcement could be made later this month once those plans are finalized.

While he did not specify the types of businesses that will eventually call the industrial park home, Mr. Rechler did offer some insight regarding their plans for the first phase of work.

“Phase one consists of two office buildings, two industrial buildings, a 5,000-square-foot restaurant, bank and a 145-room hotel,” he said. “Three Rogers Way will be the location of the Hampton Business District Home and Design Center—the new go-to destination for area interior designers, builders, remodelers and homeowners.”

Mr. Finnerty said he does not know when the board will sign off on the site plan for the first building, explaining that it all depends on when officials representing the Rechlers submit the requested engineering data to the town.

“They have architectural renderings and the Town Board resolution was very detailed so that is all in place,” he said. “But I don’t know when it will come back before us.”