Construction begins on $20M Homewood Suites by Hilton in Ronkonkoma

After eight years of delays, a new Homewood Suites by Hilton is finally coming to Ronkonkoma, according to Sayville Browning Properties, developer of the $20 million project.

Construction on the 122- room, four-story, extended-stay hotel began in late October and is expected to be completed in 12 months, said Lee Browning, president of Sayville Browning.

"This hotel has been eight years in the making," he said. Issues with rezoning, site plan approvals and the recession have slowed development over the years.

"This hotel has gone through trials and tribulations," Browning said. "It's finally time."

The new 102,000-square-foot Homewood Suites will sit on the same property as Sayville Browning's 13-year-old Long Island MacArthur Airport Courtyard by Marriott. The existing seven-story hotel serves only limited-stay visitors, the developer said.

The Homewood Suites is one of a few new hotels being built on Long Island. In May, Westbury developer Piermont Properties broke ground on a 145-room Courtyard by Marriott in Westbury. Following delays, developer Melville Hospitality is expected to begin construction in April on a 165-room Hilton Garden Inn in Port Washington, the first hotel in northwestern Nassau County to carry a national brand name.

Sayville Browning has been approved for mortgage recording tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions and property tax relief from the Town of Brookhaven's industrial development agency. Without the financial support, the developer would not have been able to undertake the project, Browning said.

According to the Town of Brookhaven's website, the project will create 90 construction jobs and 47 permanent full-time positions.