June 23rd, 2011, By Dana Haugh
The $4 billion Heartland Town Square project is set to potentially break ground later this year. Developers Gerald 
and David Wolkoff (father and son) have been preparing for this moment for the past 10 years, dumping over $200 million of their own money into what will be the largest development in Long Island’s history. The project, which will be considered “The Jewel of Brentwood,” is to be constructed in three phases and will be located on the grounds of the former Pilgrim State Hospital. The square will be home to almost 9,000 new apartments, three office towers, stores, movie theater, restaurants and all the other venues needed to create an ideal lifestyle for young people. Its goal is to generate a more affordable space for the emerging youth, in attempts to stem the flow of young people fleeing the island’s high prices and expensive cost of living. The Wolkoff team has spent endless hours talking at political gatherings, PTA meetings, business groups and other organizations to gain recognition and support for their endeavor.
The project has yet to be approved by the town of Islip and Suffolk County, but the Wolkoffs aren’t too concerned with that. The main focus is moving forward and putting their dreams a reality.
All information gathered from Newsday