The former Long Island strip club will be transformed into the Park Welcome Center as part of a seven-figure revitalization project.
The building that once housed the Oasis Gentleman's Club in Smithtown will soon be replaced by adjacent Paul T. Given Park after the town won a $1.5 million grant for the project, according to reports. They say they will be welcoming visitors.
The money will go toward revitalizing the park, which the town acquired from the county in 2022 but has since fallen into disrepair, according to Newsday.
The old strip club building off Route 25, across the street from the town's iconic bull statue, has been removed after decades of attempts to remove it because many town officials considered it a local embarrassment. The town purchased it. According to Newsday.
Oasis' previous owner, Thomas Murray, said the building's existence was a “safe rite of passage for many”, employing local people, paying taxes and never causing problems for the police. defended.
But now town officials say the building will finally be used for something they can be proud of, and work has already begun on renovating the old building.
Other improvements to the park, located along the Nissequogue River that feeds into Long Island's wetlands, include removing invasive plants, improving trails and installing an observation deck.
“This would be a great way to protect the headwaters of Nicequogue,” said Smithtown Superintendent Ed Wehrheim.
