This week in Huntington newsletter: A vision to transform Melville quickly comes into focus

Happy Friday, everyone! Development is always a hot topic across our town, and Melville is certainly leading the discussion at the moment.

NYU Langone Health plans to spend at least $1 billion on a new teaching hospital and research center at the Huntington Quadrangle there, according to County Executive Edward P. Romaine. And separately, I reported that town officials recently approved a project that will bring at least 400 housing units basically just down the street from where the hospital would be built. That developer, Bethpage-based Steel Equities, plans to seek a tax abatement known as a PILOT, or payment in lieu of taxes, from the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency.

To help ease any financial burden the tax break would have on the Half Hollow Hills School District, Steel Equities has entered into an agreement with the district to pay it a flat fee each year of the PILOT, whose duration is expected to be 20 years.

As I reported, town officials are now seizing on that idea and held a public hearing this week to consider creating such a policy townwide.

While it may seem like the development focus has sharpened very quickly on Melville — notably the part of the hamlet that's south of the Long Island Expressway and east of Route 110 — I started reporting on the town's intentions two years ago this spring, with rumblings among town officials starting back in 2021.

Town Supervisor Ed Smyth has long seen the area, which includes some older, empty office buildings, as ripe for a brand-new, walkable downtown. The latest developments seem like clear steps forward.

What you think about a Melville transformation? Tell me at deborah.morris@newsday.com.

LI's largest pizza party has town roots

The second Long Island Pizza Fest is set for Sept. 19 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Erica Marcus reports, but it's got strong ties to our hometown. The first such festival, at Mill Dam Park in Huntington last September, drew more than 25,000 people, organizer Frank Antonetti told Erica. Antonetti is an owner of 1653 Pizza Company and The Rust & Gold, both in Huntington. Also, Dough & Co of Huntington and Oyster Bay is among those committed to be at this year's festival.

What's your favorite pizza in town? There are a lot of great options. Let me know at deborah.morris@newsday.com.

Elsewhere in town

• Commack High School teacher Erin Mascaro organizes runs for those struggling with depression and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help. Read Michael R. Ebert's story.

• Northport High defeated Huntington High 7-6 in girls lacrosse Tuesday, Tess Ferguson reports. Check out more photos from the crosstown matchup, which was played in Northport.

• Commack's Athenian Greek Taverna closed abruptly after more than three decades in business, my colleague Melissa Azofeifa reports.

• One of Huntington's most beautiful and expansive parks is listed as a place that offers an ideal trail that offers stroller and wheelchair access. Check out which one here.

Things to do

Check out these fun and interesting things to do around town in the coming week.

“We The People…” A Conversation About Art & Democracy

When: Thursday, May 14, 6-8:30 p.m. 

What: It's billed as an evening of food, conversation and connection around a shared table — an open and welcoming dialogue on democracy, liberty, freedom, civic participation and freedom of expression.

Where: Dr. Daniel W. Kissam Property, 434 Park Ave., Huntington

Information: Cost is $25. Presented by the Huntington Historical Society and Heckscher Museum of Art. Call 631-380-3230 for more, or visit heckscher.org.

Walk and Wag Animal Fundraiser 

When: Saturday, May 9, noon-4 p.m. 

What: It's the second annual Walk & Wag event to support dogs at the Huntington Animal Shelter, organized by the nonprofit Give a Dog a Dream Inc. and the Town of Huntington. 

Where: Heckscher Park, 11 Prime Ave., Huntington

Information: Sign up to walk your dog in the pageant. Register here. 

Selling and Renovating Historic Houses on Long Island

When: Tuesday, May 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

What: It's a workshop that examines how to market, sell, thoughtfully renovate and steward a historic home.

Where: Preservation Long Island Exhibition Gallery, 161 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor

Information: General admission is $20 suggested donation, optional box lunch is $12. Free parking is available in the municipal lot on the opposite side of Main Street. Register here.

Find more things to do at newsday.com/lifestyle.