By Hank Russell
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) acquired more than 46 acres of land in Port Jefferson Station in a move that secures the property for potential future Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) infrastructure needs. The parcel, at 100 Sheep Pasture Road, is part of a larger 126-acre property often referred to as the Lawrence Aviation site after the aeronautic sheet metal manufacturer that vacated in 2003 and was its last occupant. The MTA bought the land for $10 from the Suffolk County Land Bank.
The purchase was made possible by enabling legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in July that protected the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway while retaining the MTA’s right to build a railyard for the Port Jefferson Branch of the LIRR, in the event it is needed. If the railyard needs to be built, the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) would preserve this greenway by relocating it. The legislation, as reported by Long Island Life & Politics, was sponsored by state Senator Monica R. Martinez (D-Brentwood) and Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson).
With responsibility for preserving the greenway clearly identified, the legislation essentially granted the MTA the flexibility to consider building a yard on the site as a necessary part of future improvements to the Port Jefferson Branch.
While there are no current plans or funding for the type of Port Jefferson Branch improvements that would require a railyard at the site, the acquisition preserves the railroad’s ability to keep those opportunities open and evaluate them as part of its long-term planning.
As previously published in LILP, the Suffolk County Landbank Corporation and the MTA entered into a contract in 2023 that allowed for a portion of the Lawrence Aviation property to be used towards the modernization of the LIRR’s Port Jefferson branch. The DOT had until June 30 to sign the agreement, or else, they said, the project would be derailed. In June 2025, elected officials and environmentalists called on Hochul to “compel” the DOT to sign the agreement. LILP also reported that the MTA held up the signing of the agreement.
“When we signed legislation in July, we protected the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway while preserving the ability to improve rail service on Long Island into the future,” Hochul said. “Today, we deliver on that commitment by securing this property and ensuring that the Port Jefferson community has this beloved greenway permanently preserved while also allowing the MTA to plan for long-term upgrades to LIRR service for tens of thousands of riders. This is a win-win for transportation and green space on Long Island.”
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “We’ve invested almost $20 billion in the LIRR over the last 10 years — Grand Central Madison, Double Track, Third Track, the new Penn Station concourse, and so much more. Now, thanks to Governor Hochul, we have a new opportunity to explore service and reliability upgrades for the Port Jefferson branch through this land deal.”
“As we develop our capital plans, we always look for opportunities to address possible infrastructure needs in the future — especially as the busiest commuter railroad in the country,” LIRR President Rob Free added. “Securing this land gives us the flexibility to plan for the railroad’s expansion and modernization opportunities.”
Local elected officials also praised the acquisition.
“Long Island cannot build the transportation network of tomorrow if we do not preserve the space necessary to build it today,” Martinez said. “The MTA’s acquisition of this property keeps open the possibility of a future modernization of the Port Jefferson Branch, including the infrastructure that would be needed to support eventual electrification and expanded rail service.”
Kassay called the acquisition “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to advance much-needed and long-awaited rail transit improvements.” She also said the bill that she and Martinez sponsored “resolved a long-standing land use conflict that previously prevented this acquisition and planning from moving forward.”
“Today’s acquisition is the first in a series of investments necessary to electrify the line, deliver a one-seat ride from our region to the city, improve local air quality, and advance more reliable rail service for our neighbors,” Kassay added.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said, “The Lawrence Aviation property sale represents a major investment in Suffolk County’s north shore. Thanks to our collaboration with New York State and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, this community blight is transforming into a clean energy and transportation asset.”
Lawrence Aviation Industries built its manufacturing facility on the Port Jefferson Station site beginning in the late 1950s. But decades of industrial activity contaminated soil and groundwater, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency added the property to the federal Superfund National Priorities List in 2000, according to Romaine’s office.
“This has been years in the making,” said Romaine. “Lawrence Aviation burdened this community for decades. From the start of my administration, I made moving this property forward a priority. We are turning a long-standing liability into transportation investment, renewable energy and productive public use.”
In addition, there will be a solar parcel that will bring renewable energy development to land that sat vacant and contaminated for decades, Romaine added.
Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Daniel Panico said, “This represents another important step toward creating a positive future for a property once scarred by industrial use. Years ago, the Town of Brookhaven preserved more than 46 acres of surrounding woodlands for our community and our environment. Now, on the previously cleared portion of the property, we are taking another step forward with this latest solar installation — creating clean energy on land that was once polluted.”
“This is not just a real estate closing,” Romaine said. “It changes the trajectory of a property that was a problem for generations and puts this land back to work for Suffolk County residents.”