Stony Brook University Research and Development Park:
A Message from Helen Carrano
Dear Neighbor:
Stony Brook University has earned a national reputation for research that pushes the boundaries of science and technology. Discoveries made right here have improved lives all over the world and have resulted in Stony Brook being recognized as one of the nation's leading public universities.
A new chapter in the history of this University is about to begin. This summer the University will break ground on a new Research and Development Park at Flowerfield. By 2008, we hope to open what will be the nation's first dedicated 
wireless and information technology research center.
While many people are excited about the potential of the new Research and Development Park — including the creation of new high-tech businesses, new jobs, and other economic benefits — we understand the concerns being expressed by the community. Naturally, we believe there will be enormous benefits with minimal impacts, but we also understand that this will have to be demonstrated over time.
We will do our best to advise you of our plans on developing the new campus, to involve you when possible, and to address problems as they arise.
The First Step
Construction of the new Center for Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (or CEWIT) is scheduled to begin soon. As a first step, the University created a construction and utility access road from Stony Brook Road.
The University worked with the Town of Brookhaven Traffic Safety Office to determine a location that would be the safest and least disruptive.
As a result, a location has been selected.
I hope the following will answer many of your questions.
Where will the construction road enter the new campus?
The new road will be approximately 1,900 feet north of the South Campus entrance on the west side of Stony Brook Road. This construction road will be on the west side of Stony Brook Road.
Will the road cross onto the main campus, east of Stony Brook Road?
No, the road will only enter the Research and Development Park westward. There will be no encroachment into the main campus property east of Stony Brook Road. We worked closely with Brookhaven Town's Traffic Safety Office. This location offered the safest possible interface with Stony Brook Road.
Why was this location selected?
We worked closely with Brookhaven Town's Traffic Safety Office. This location offered the safest possible interface with Stony Brook Road.
Did you consider the existing entrance off Stony Brook Road?
We did not choose it because of safety concerns. We also wanted to avoid routing vehicles along the existing south perimeter road of the R&D Park, which runs directly behind homes on the north side of University Heights Road.
What route do you expect construction traffic to follow?
We expect that the majority of traffic will travel either north or south on Nicolls Road, cross Stony Brook's campus on South Drive, then proceed a very short distance north on Stony Brook Road to the construction entrance.
Will this be a permanent "main" entrance for the R&D Park?
No final decision has been made on a permanent entrance, but we will continue to work with the Town of Brookhaven and their Traffic Safety Office. They have the expertise to make this determination.
Does the University plan to build a bridge or underpass connecting its campuses?
There are no plans to connect the two campuses at this time. The Town has said that it does not believe that construction and operation of the CEWIT will impact traffic enough to require a connection between the two campuses. While this utility roadway will cross the 300-foot buffer on the perimeter of the Research and Development Park, it is the only work that will encroach on that buffer.
I invite you to contact me directly with any questions or concerns at (631) 632-6129 or Helen.Carrano@stonybrook.edu
Sincerely,
Helen Carrano
See also: SEQRA Fact Sheet
Construction of the new Center for Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (or CEWIT) is scheduled to begin soon. As a first step, the University has create a construction and utility access road from Stony Brook Road, approximately 1,900 feet north of the South Campus entrance on the west side of Stony Brook Road.
