Farmingdale resident weighs in on downtown theater proposal

By - Nicholas Tsaveras

Farmingdale Village is looking to add an 8,000 square-foot theater with the help of state funding to its downtown. Here is the concept of art for the proposal.  

Photo provided by Ralph Ekstrand 

FARMINGDALE, N.Y — A proposed downtown redevelopment project in Farmingdale includes plans for a new community theater and is drawing attention from residents as villages consider how to improve the area.  

New York State’s Governor, Kathy Hochul, said, she aims to improve the village’s Main Street by adding new attractions and upgrading infrastructure. Officials say the theater could host performances, concerts, and community events.  

Caitlyn Civelli, 22, a Farmingdale resident since 2015, said she initially reacted positively to the idea of investing in the community.  “Thank goodness they’re finally putting money into this town,” Ms. Civelli said. “I’ve been wanting to see more restaurants and more attractions for people.”  Ms. Civelli said she was surprised by the proposal to include a theater in the already compact downtown area.  

Plans for the project indicate the theater could be built on an existing parking lot, potentially removing dozens of parking spaces. Ms. Civelli said that it could create challenges for residents and visitors.   “It’s already hard to get a spot in downtown Farmingdale,” she said. “I don’t know where they’re planning on putting everybody.” 

Despite the concerns, Ms. Civelli said the theater could still benefit the community if it is used for local events and entertainment.   “I think it's definitely a good addition to the town,” she said. “Farmingdale definitely does have that potential to similar in the way that the community is brought together through local theaters.” 

She compared the idea to venues like The Paramount in Huntington, which hosts concerts and live performances.  “I would like to see Farmingdale be that way as well,” Civelli said. 

While Ms. Civelli said ongoing development has not directly affected her daily routine, she noted that construction and limited parking could impact local businesses. “Customers might be a little apprehensive to go into the area if parking is harder,” she said.  

She also said she would like to see improvements made to infrastructure beyond the theater project like the roads of the area due to the many recent snowstorms causing potholes to appear.  “If they’re trying to make people happier who already live here, they should invest in the roads too,” she said. 

Village officials have not finalized plans for the theater, but discussions are ongoing as part of the broader redevelopment effort. Ms. Civelli said she hopes the project will strike a balance between attracting visitors and maintaining accessibility for residents. As the Village of Farmingdale continues to grow, thoughtful planning will be a key to ensuring the project benefits the entire community, she said.