Supervisor Lesko Announces "Blight to Light"

Supervisor Lesko proposed a sweeping initiative on April 26, 2010 to eradicate suburban blight in the Town of Brookhaven. Lesko and the Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency premiered a film, “Blight to Light”, at Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center, which for the first time ever portrays blight as opportunity. Lesko explained that the initiative is an effort to save suburbia.

“Suburban blight has reached epidemic proportions on Long Island, but the irony is these blighted properties provide the best opportunity for redevelopment,” said Supervisor Mark Lesko, “the package of incentives that I am proposing will make it incumbent upon the private sector to take action. The blight we have in Brookhaven is largely a result of poor government planning in the past, and today we are introducing a new way of thinking that can redefine where we live and spur redevelopment.”

The film, produced by the Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency, depicts real, graphic images of suburban blight in Brookhaven, but also demonstrates how these blighted properties can be turned into light through new planning methods, looking to models of redevelopment like downtown Patchogue.

"For over 30 years the IDA has concentrated its efforts on new construction and/or the expansion of commercial and industrial projects. We will now expand our horizon to include a focus on the Town's efforts toward the redevelopment of the aforementioned blighted properties," said Frederick Braun, Chairman of the Town of Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency.

The most innovative and game-changing initiative that was proposed was the B2L Grading System. This grading system assigns points to three categories: Blight Severity, Potential for Re-development, and Location of Re-development. The combined score the project receives in these three areas determines the level of the incentive package from the Town. The incentive packages, in order from the most basic incentive package to greatest incentive package, are The Illuminated incentive package, The Bright incentive package, The Radiant incentive package, The Brilliant incentive package

For example, a project may receive a high grade if it has been vacant for decades and is a haven for crime, has community and environmentalist support, generates tax revenues and jobs, has a superior façade, is LEED compliant, and is located in a downtown near a transit hub.

“The B2L grading system puts the ball in the private sector’s court. We are proposing attractive incentive packages, and I am putting on the table a change of zone by the Town Board’s own motion as part of the “Brilliant” incentive package if the property is severely blighted, has the most potential for re-development, is a cutting edge, creative project, and is in the right location. This would save the private sector a tremendous amount of time and money,” said Supervisor Lesko. “We need redevelopment in the Town of Brookhaven to eradicate the blighted properties that are eyesores and sometimes create dangerous situations. Redevelopment will also stimulate exciting destinations, create jobs, and thereby reduce property tax."