Discussions surrounding the renovation and revitalization of Coindre Hall (also known as West Neck Farm) at 101 Browns Road, Huntington, NY have been ongoing for many years, but the formal plans for the project began to take shape in 2019. This was marked by the creation of the Coindre Hall Advisory Board, established by the Suffolk County Legislator to address the restoration and preservation of the historic site.
In 2020, the Suffolk County Legislature passed a resolution for the creation of an Advisory Board for the rehabilitation and revitalization of Coindre Hall, including saving the boathouse, securing the pier and repairing the damaged sea wall. The Committee is comprised of local volunteer citizens and stakeholders whose mission is to rehabilitate and beautify the entire property without altering the character or purpose of the Park.
There is no plan to involve a private developer in the restoration of Coindre Hall (main house). In fact, the main house has already been significantly restored and its use is at full capacity.
There are plans, however, to restore the boathouse but it has suffered significant structural damage over time and has been condemned for any use. The plan was first to stabilize the seawall, and then restore and stabilize the pier and the boathouse foundation. Once that’s done, the boathouse will be restored.
Information gathered from Suffolk County Legislature:
https://www.scnylegislature.us/1187/Coindre-Hall-Advisory-Board
For further information contact: Suffolk County Legislator, Stephanie Bontempi
631-854-4500, Stephanie.Bontempi@suffolkcountyny.gov
The following is the list of Coindre Hall Advisory Board members:
1. Garrett Chelius – Chairman, Town of Huntington Designee
2. Mark McAteer – Vice Chairman, Presiding Officer’s Designee
3. Robert Hardie – Suffolk County DPW Designee
4. James W. Wright – Suffolk County Parks Designee
5. Ed Carr – Greater Huntington Council of Yacht & Boating Clubs Designee
6. Herb Morrow – LD 18 Designee
7. Margaret Beaufrere – LD 18 Designee
8. Walter Zalak – North Shore Baymen’s Association Designee
9. David Berg – LD 18 Designee
10. Phil Plonski – LD 18 Designee
11. Walter Edwards – LD 18 Designee
12. Frank Piccininni – Suffolk County Parks Designee
ADVISORY CAPACITY – Richard Martin – Suffolk County Historian
The following are status updates from the Coindre Hall Advisory Board:
07/01/2025 – Coindre Hall Summer Update
– Parking lot behind gymnasium: Construction anticipated to commence by the end of Q3 2025 and end by end of October 2025.
– Pier: The bidding is done, and the contractor has been selected. Work is slated to begin late summer/early fall and should take approx. 4 months. The restoration project will use an outside contractor with guidance from DPW’s Division of Bridges and Structures. All regulatory agency permits have been secured (DEC, ACOE, DOS) as well as SHPO and concurrence from the Village.
– Boathouse foundation: The restoration of the boathouse foundation is anticipated to go out to bid by the end of Q3 2025. Construction is anticipated to commence by end of Q2 2026.
12/9/2024 – Coindre Hall Winter Update
– In May, fencing, lighting, and signage were installed around the boathouse to deter trespassing.
– Security cameras were installed around the boathouse in December as an additional security measure.
02/27/2024 – Coindre Hall Winter Update
– Amidst the latest winter storm that hit Long Island, the lower part of Coindre Hall experienced substantial flooding. While the seawall did face water overtopping, it was not breached. When the recent restoration of the seawall took place, we ensured the installation of weep holes, approximately 20 feet apart. Behind each weep hole, there are drainage boards that allow water to flow through and prevent any clogging.
– In response to recent vandalism, I have coordinated with Suffolk County Parks and the Department of Public Works (DPW) for the installation of safety fencing. The safety fencing will help deter trespassers during the stabilization of the boathouse foundation. We are waiting for the installation of the safety fencing. (Capital Project 7096)
– Porte Cochere: The rehabilitation work has begun and is projected to be completed in September 2025.
– Boathouse: The RFP is in process for the restoration work on the Boathouse and DPW estimates work to begin in the third quarter of 2024.
– DPW expects the restoration of the Boathouse Complex (boathouse, pier, and seawall) to be completed in 2027, subject to change depending on funding and any unforeseen issues. The seawall is completed, and the boathouse and pier are next.
9/29/2023 – The necessary work on the Coindre Hall gymnasium roof started this week. The work will be completed in the coming weeks, depending on the weather.
6/15/2023 – The restoration of the historic seawall is complete.
12/13/2022 – Frank Piccininni, the environmentalist selected by the Parks Department, was appointed to the Coindre Hall Advisory Board (CHAB) as per the resolution signed into law by the County Executive on August 1, 2022.
10/5/2022 – The resolution creating the 12th seat to be filled by an environmental professional was signed into law by the County Executive on August 1, 2022. The Parks Department, which has the authority to make the appointment, is currently reviewing prospective members. Work continues on the restoration of the seawall. The Board is currently contemplating the next step of the complex’s restoration work, which involves the pier.
7/26/2022 – Suffolk County Legislature approved IR 1532-2022 which adds a 12th seat to the Coindre Hall Advisory Board (CHAB). The appointee will be:
“an environmental professional in the environmental sciences with appropriate educational credentials to be appointed by the Commissioner of Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation”
7/20/2022 – As per the Department of Public Works, “We are happy to announce that the restoration of the historic sea wall at West Neck Farm County Park (Coindre Hall) has begun. Over the past several decades, the sea wall has been compromised in several locations, creating unsafe conditions for park visitors.
– After first securing the site for safety and environmental purposes, the contractor hired for the project is now making repairs to the seaward side of the sea wall. This part of the restoration includes power washing the entire face of the wall. Once this is completed, work crews will repoint stone mortar joints, reset and replace stones as needed. Crews will also install a weep hole filtration system that helps to relieve water pressure (hydrostatic pressure) by allowing drainage from behind the wall (landward side).”
7/8/2022 – Updated proposed site plan Please feel free to stop by Legislator Bontempi’s district office at 224 Wall Street, Suite 303, Huntington, between 9:00AM and 5:00PM (Monday-Friday) to view the hard copy of the map.
6/29/2022 – Restoration operations are still ongoing. To date, a gravel road has been laid down, fencing has been installed and preparations for the seawall work has begun.
– Philip Plonski has recently been appointed to the CHAB to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jerome Wood. Additionally, Shameika Hanson has resigned as a member and the CHAB is accepting resumes from those interested in filling the vacancy.
5/19/2022 – Work has begun in accordance with the DEC issued permit.
5/4/2022 – The proposed site plan:
Coindre Hall Advisory Board FAQ
1. Is Suffolk County seeking to commercialize Coindre Hall Park?
No, as a park, it would not be permissible to commercialize it, as that would be considered an alienation of parkland. Suffolk County aims to restore and preserve the park’s aging infrastructure while simultaneously protecting its important place in the larger ecosystem.
2. Why can’t Suffolk County remove the boathouse complex and create a “natural shoreline”?
The boathouse complex (boathouse, seawall and pier) are historic components of Coindre Hall Park with related designations speaking to such. Therefore, Suffolk County has an obligation to preserve and maintain these public assets.
3. Is Suffolk County going to turn the boathouse into a yacht club or a restaurant?
No, as its proximity to the waterfront precludes the installation of standard bathroom/sanitary facilities. In addition, Suffolk County is considering the site for a number of operations, such as a law enforcement outpost, an environmental education space, or similar uses qualifying as a park purpose.
4. Can Coindre Hall Park be sold to developers?
Parklands enjoy a number of protections provided by laws and public policies that make alienation highly unlikely. Due to the historic nature of Coindre Hall Park and its environmentally sensitive location, Suffolk County is well served by its park status.
5. Will there be a massive parking lot installed at the boathouse?
No, but some parking space may be provided to allow for the ingress and egress of emergency vehicles and people with limited mobility options.
6. Will there be a roadway?
Originally, there was a separate roadway connecting the boathouse and mansion structures, but nature took over and there are no plans to restore that. Recently, there was new gravel put down on a pre-existing roadway. The only roadway will be the current gravel road from the bottom of Browns Road to the boathouse.
7. Is the pond man-made or natural?
The Suffolk County Parks department and the Director of Historic Services believe that the pond is man-made because of the cement walls that exist on the inside of the pond.
8. What clear-cutting took place?
Accidental clear-cutting took place in 2021, which was mostly poison ivy, phragmites, brush and undergrowth. Most have grown back and once the renovation is completed, there will be some plantings of native species.
9. Does Suffolk County have required DEC permits to complete work associated with the renovation of the boathouse complex?
Yes, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (D.E.C.) has issued all required permits to Suffolk County. In addition, all environmentally sensitive areas are fenced off while renovation work takes place.
10. Have repairs to the seawall caused increased flooding in the lower park area?
No, there has not been an increase in flooding to the lower park. Pictures taken and circulated on social media give misleading images of the construction site in the aftermath of a heavy rainstorm.
11. While repairs are ongoing, can the public access the lower park area?
Barrier fencing was installed to prevent public access as a matter of public safety. Until the repairs are completed, the active construction site will remain fenced off.
12. Can the lower portion of Coindre Hall be turned into a nature preserve?
Areas located in the lower portion of Coindre Hall have wetlands status that includes protection from the DEC. A nature preserve could limit future potential uses and restrict an active and historic park.
A nature preserve is not necessary because Coindre Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places that automatically gives protection against any development other than restoration.
13. How many members are on the Coindre Hall Advisory Board, how long do they serve, and when do they meet?
There are 12 Coindre Hall Advisory Board members that serve as designees and volunteers. They do not have any decision making power. They meet quarterly and keep a record of all proceedings.
Photographs by Dana E. Richter
