Brookhaven building to become nature center

A vacant Brookhaven Town-owned building on Montauk Highway will be the site of a new nature center and kayak launch.

The town board on Tuesday approved an agreement that allows a Brookhaven hamlet resident to use the building, at 2979 Montauk Hwy. in the hamlet, as an environmental education center that will provide access to the Carmans River.

Brad DeSantis will pay the town $26,100 per year to use the facility and will make about $70,000 in improvements. The building has been vacant for about three years, town officials have said.

The contract allows DeSantis to manage the facility for five years with an option to renew for another two years, at the town’s discretion, officials have said.

The building is about the size of a medium-sized single-family home. The property, near the junction of the Carmans River and Great South Bay, was purchased by the town for $490,000 in June 2008.