If you want to buy in Central Islip

Revitalization is the central theme of Central Islip. Ongoing efforts have resulted in new housing developments as well as entertainment, commercial and government complexes. And there's more to come.

In 2000, the Cohalan County Court Complex and the Federal Courthouse opened on a portion of the former Central Islip Psychiatric Center property. Also that year, the first pitch was tossed from what is now Bethpage Ballpark, home of the Long Island Ducks, a minor league baseball team.

Upcoming projects include the construction of a Marriott Residence Inn west of the ballpark, says Nancy Manfredonia, executive director of the Central Islip Civic Council. On Carleton Avenue, developer Andy Borgia plans to build a 200,000-square-foot Ultimate Game Sports Complex with indoor and outdoor fields.

Houston-based Sysco Corp. built a 400,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center and hired local residents, Manfredonia says, adding the facility will be operating this spring or early summer. As for housing, the 284-unit Coventry Gardens, the last of three developments in the Central Islip master plan, is scheduled to break ground in September. Developer Jobco is providing up to $2 million to rehabilitate vacant homes across the street, Manfredonia says.

"A lot of effort is going into the community," says Susana Dumas, of Century 21 Adams Real Estate.

Single-family homes generally are priced from $160,000 to the $400,000s, Dumas says, with short sales often lower. The area next to Connetquot River State Park has horse properties, says resident Giselle Simonetti, of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate in East Islip, noting the town allows up to four horses an acre.