Do It Right... But Do It

The AvalonBay housing complex proposed for a 26.6-acre site near the Huntington train station has galvanized a segment of the population that is currently underserved -- young people. Young professionals and working people who hold good jobs but are shut out of the housing market because the cost of housing is too steep were among the most visible and vocal of the many who have come out in support of the housing complex. They made a show of numbers at a public hearing before the town board Tuesday night, asking the Town to give the project the necessary approvals.

The project is a mixed bag combining rentals and owned townhomes that would provide needed housing for young people, families starting out and seniors. A portion of the project is set aside as affordable workforce housing, and would be appropriately priced.

The AvalonBay project makes sense. Legal, safe apartments are scarce in the town of Huntington. This project would help meet the need. Its location – near the train station – is ideal and would encourage use of mass transit. There are issues; that much housing brings traffic, increased sewage and the like, and requires adequate infrastructure. The builders have a track record in other communities, and the town should be diligent in seeing that all concerns are addressed because this project is needed.

Let’s do it right and make AvalonBay a model for towns across Long Island.