Big idea: Office of Film and Television requests portion of grant for production studio with perks

Northport resident Joe Schramm, who serves as director of the Office of Film and Television for the Town of Huntington, is promoting a big idea: Invite Hollywood to Huntington with a 200,000-square-foot film-and-television production studio located on a 4-acre parcel of land in Huntington Station. He’s hoping to use $2 million of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant funding, awarded by New York State, toward the development of an engaging and inclusive studio, slated for the underutilized parking lot located on New York Avenue, across the street from the Huntington train station.

“Production is big business in the NY metro area and is already driving hundreds of millions in annual revenues for the local economy in Nassau County,” Schramm wrote in a letter to residents explaining why the newly established film and television office is requesting the funding. Nassau County reports that over $900 million is earned annually from film and television productions, with much of the revenue coming from two production facilities in Bethpage.

Schramm said that Kaufman Studios, located in Astoria, is an example of how a production studio can be the catalyst for a sustainable and long-term transformation of a neighborhood. “Today, Astoria is a vibrant and lively community, partially due to the impact of Kaufman Studios on the local economy,” he wrote.

One of the developers interested in building what would be called the “Studios at Huntington Station” is a co-founder of Kaufman Studios, Schramm said. The consensus among developers, he noted, is that the project will require a $100 million investment to build and outfit the space. But Schramm and the TOH film and television office want the space to be more than a warehouse-style box that’s typical of studio buildings. The goal is to create a space that will connect visually to the nearby neighborhood and interactively with the surrounding community, Schramm stated.

The DRI funds request is to incentivize the developer to “construct an attractive campus that blends with the new style of the neighborhood, as well as invite the local community to use public spaces, and attract tourists and visitors for live TV audiences,” Schramm wrote. According to his letter, the monies would be used for the following attractions:

• An 11,000-square-foot public garden along New York Avenue

• A rooftop “green” garden as a venue for community events

• Architectural styling that coordinates and reflects the style of the surrounding and nearby buildings

• Public art installations using natural materials and plants that extend the garden into the interior of the lobby

• A 199-seat auditorium and screening room that is accessible for community events and meetings

• Exhibition and reception space for use by community service organizations for art exhibits, meetings and special events

“The monies we are requesting will not cover the total cost of the wish list. However, without an incentive, there is little or no reason for the developer to assume the added cost of ensuring the inclusion of architectural character, gardens, and public spaces,” Schramm wrote.

The town’s Office of Film and Television was established 14 months ago and has already attracted major streaming productions, including FX’s American Horror Story, Amazon Prime’s Harlem and Hulu’s Life and Beth with Amy Schumer. Huntington Station is within the designated NYC production zone, making it a cost effective location for producers. The proximity to the train station is another perk for film location scouts and producers, Schramm said, and will make Huntington Station “a place to come to, rather than a place to go through.”

You can find more information about The Studios at Huntington Station here, including the town’s vision for the project and site renderings.