Oasis Development Plan Awaits Governor’s Approval

At the November 17th Town of Smithtown Board Meeting, a resident inquired as to the current status of the development plan for the boarded up former adult club, known as the Oasis.

The former strip club, and adjoining property, was purchased by the Town of Smithtown last summer, following the Town Board’s unanimous approval of the purchase at its May 2021 meeting.

At that time, Supervisor Ed Wehrheim called the purchase a “great victory for the residents, who have asked for this throughout the last two decades….” The building, now boarded up for many months, sits across from the Bull statue at 490 W. Jericho Turnpike. The property is approximately one-fifth of an acre. The plan is to use the land for a public park that will have waterfront access to the Nissequogue River that flows right behind it.

The purchase followed years of litigation between the bar’s owner and the town, as an amicable agreement proved to be evasive. Town officials had begun talks about possibly acquiring the property through eminent domain, which finally led to an agreement. The building, formerly known as Bull Creek Inn, then the Oasis adult club, had been used for adult entertainment since 1979.

The development of the property calls for a park swap with Suffolk County. While the county will acquire the town’s Bill Richards Park next to Blydenburgh Park, the town will receive Paul T. Given County Park adjacent to the Oasis property, thus providing more land for the new park. The land swap agreement requires special legislation by the State.

Upon inquire as to the plan’s current status, Supervisor Wehrheim explained the Town is awaiting the Governor’s signature on the above noted pending legislation, which was authorized by State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick and State Sen. Mario Mattera.

When reached at his office, Senator Mattera said he “expected the Governor to sign the legislation and the project to move forward.” He also emphasized the legislation needs to be signed by December 31st, before it expires.

Once the special legislation becomes law, the Town plans to demolish the building and develop the combined properties for public access. The current conceptual design calls for a picnic area, a playground, a kayak launch, a fitness trail, and parking.