Artists thrilled to be winners in housing lottery

Wearing a stunned expression, the winner made his way up the stairs of the stage last night and accepted his lottery prize: the chance to live in Patchogue's first downtown artist community.

Michael Sorrentino was the first of 73 names called at a drawing at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts.

He and the others will have the opportunity to rent the affordably priced studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments.

"I wasn't expecting it," said a still-shocked Sorrentino after coming off the stage. "I hope it works out. I'm not an artist or a painter. I'm a media maker."

Sorrentino, 23, a writer and videographer for an online publication, was joined by painters, mixed-media artists, actors and musicians in being picked for the 45-unit community on Terry Street, one block south of Main Street in downtown Patchogue.

The $18-million community is a collaboration among Suffolk County, the Town of Brookhaven, the Village of Patchogue and several state and local agencies and art groups.

The aim is to provide affordable live/work space for artists on the upper floors and retail space at street level.

The five-story building's apartments will be rented to those earning below 60 percent of the Housing and Urban Development Long Island median income.

That comes out to $49,750 for two people and $62,150 for four. The apartments will rent from $817 to $1,480 monthly.

Winners must be artists and meet income eligibility guidelines.

"It's an opportunity to live and work with other artists," said Evelyn Ramos, 57, a painter and photographer who was picked second.

"It will be inspiring and will also help with the revitalization of the downtown and my art."

Phyllis Kaye Waldo, a performance artist, agreed. "It'll also be a bigger space for me to work in. I'm thrilled," she said.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, who picked out Sorrentino's name, said the artist community brings much needed affordable housing to the area, as well as an economic boost and a cultural benefit.

"This gives a bohemian, cultural aspect to affordable housing," Levy said.

"It will really spice up the neighborhood and give it even more life than has been injected into it over the last few years."