We continue to make progress in the planning and permitting for the preservation of the 1737 Manor House. Starting in January, we applied to the Shelter Island Building Department to approve our conceptual plans and, at the department’s behest, to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for a Special Use Permit. We also filed with the Suffolk County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, as they have jurisdiction over certain aspects of the work. The local permitting process is taking longer than anticipated since the Manor House rehabilitation requires ZBA approval of our transition from residential to educational/non-profit use. The Town Zoning Code anticipates such use, our project fits the criteria, and we expect to receive a special permit later this year. Then, we can go out to bid, and select a contractor. We expect the construction process to start in 2025.

In the meantime, our newly hired Capital Projects Coordinator, Julia Brennan, and the rest of the Sylvester Manor team continue to work closely with our historic preservation architects and engineers on detailed construction drawings for the Manor House. The scope of work includes the entire exterior (roof, windows, doors, siding, and painting), the installation of a new fire suppression system, the adaptive reuse of the northern/circa 1908 section of the house as a Center for History & Heritage, and the incorporation of ADA accessibility improvements throughout, including a ramp, elevator and ADA-compliant bathrooms on three floors. We’re fortunate to work with a team of capable, professional, and reliable experts. This project is undoubtedly complex, and by the time it’s complete in 2026 or 2027, we anticipate it will cost at least $10M.

We want to express our deep appreciation to all who have supported this project. Your contributions have been instrumental in our progress. If you have not yet given or want to learn more about our ongoing capital campaign, please contact Courtney Wingate at cwingate@sylvestermanor.org.  We greatly value your involvement!