Previously Published in The Messenger
By Cait Crudden
Patchogue Village has officially approved the construction of a new Hilton-branded hotel at the long-vacant site of the former Bowl Long Island, marking what leaders describe as a crowning achievement in the Village’s multi-decade revitalization.
In a unanimous vote last week, the Patchogue Village Planning Board granted site plan approval to West Avenue Partners LLC, clearing the way for a 96-room hotel under Hilton’s Tempo brand to rise at 138 West Avenue. The four-story structure will include thirteen market-rate apartments, a rooftop restaurant, and sit within walking distance of both the Patchogue Long Island Rail Road station and the Watch Hill Ferry terminal to Fire Island.
“This is a transformative project for Patchogue,” said Mayor Paul Pontieri, who has supported the development from the beginning. Mayor Pontieri even joked about the hotel approval being one of his final achievements and a possibility of retiring in the future.
The hotel will serve a growing demand from visitors looking to stay close to downtown Patchogue’s thriving restaurant and entertainment scene. Currently, out-of-town guests attending weddings, concerts at the Patchogue Theatre, or heading to Fire Island often find themselves staying 20 to 30 minutes away due to a lack of nearby hotel options.
While the project has generated excitement, it has also faced scrutiny, particularly over potential traffic congestion and parking availability. During last week’s planning board meeting, officials laid out twenty-seven specific conditions the developers must meet before breaking ground, the result of over a year of community input and detailed reviews.
Among the key conditions: the submission of a detailed traffic plan for West Avenue and Division Street, a known congestion point near the LIRR crossing, along with the installation of a dedicated left-turn lane and signal. The developers must also secure an agreement with the Village to utilize parking spaces at the LIRR lot and file a restrictive covenant limiting the property to thirteen residential units.
Additionally, security, lighting, stormwater drainage, pest control, and emergency access standards are all addressed in the conditions, including requirements for rooftop fire access, dark sky-compliant lighting, and Knox boxes for first responders.
Village officials emphasized that the project was only possible after a zoning change was approved in January, which reclassified the 1.5-acre property from industrial to hotel use. That change aligned with the Village’s long-term development plan, which seeks to repurpose underutilized properties into assets that draw both visitors and economic activity.
Construction is expected to begin pending satisfaction of all conditions and the issuance of final permits. The Tempo by Hilton brand markets itself as offering modern, wellness-inspired spaces aimed at younger travelers and professionals. For Patchogue, the brand choice underscores a desire to maintain the Village’s hip, artistic vibe while appealing to a broader travel demographic.
Patchogue has grown and transformed over the years. Twenty years ago, people were asking if Patchogue was done. Now they’re asking what’s next. And today, what’s next is the Hilton hotel.