Construction begins on Mastic-Shirley Islamic Center on William Floyd

Work started Jan. 18 on the Islaamic Center of Mastic–Shirley, also known as Masjid Umar Bin Khattaab, after Brookhaven Town issued final approvals and the site was cleared. The two-story, roughly 13,000-square-foot building on William Floyd Parkway will include space for daily prayers, educational programs and community activities, along with an indoor basketball court and 124 parking spaces, a capacity that exceeds zoning minimums.

The project represents a significant new community facility for the Mastic-Shirley area. Organizers say the center will be used for worship and a range of programs, positioning the mosque as both a religious home and a neighborhood hub. For residents, that could mean more local youth activities, adult education offerings and seasonal gatherings without traveling farther into southern Suffolk County.

Neighbors raised concerns during public hearings about the mosque’s proximity to nearby homes and the potential for increased traffic and parking pressure along William Floyd Parkway. Those issues were central during the approval process and remain focal points as construction progresses. William Floyd Parkway is a heavily traveled corridor, and changes in daily vehicle patterns or event-related surges can affect commute times, school drop-off routes and pedestrian safety for nearby streets.

From a public health perspective, large community centers have both risks and benefits. Shared indoor spaces such as prayer halls and recreational courts can facilitate social connection and physical activity, supporting mental and physical well-being, especially for young people. At the same time, higher-density gatherings require attention to ventilation, emergency access and crowd management to reduce risks during seasonal illnesses or emergencies. Coordination among the center’s leadership, Brookhaven Town planners and county public health officials will be important to address these issues proactively.

The center’s parking plan, which provides 124 spaces, exceeds local zoning minimums and is intended to mitigate spillover parking into residential streets. How that capacity is managed during peak times will shape day-to-day impacts on neighbors. Traffic mitigation measures, signage, and event scheduling are among the tools the town and the center can use to balance access with neighborhood livability.

The mosque’s development also raises questions of equity and access to services. A locally based community center can improve access to culturally specific programming, youth recreation and educational supports for Muslim residents who have previously traveled outside the immediate area. Ensuring that benefits extend to the wider Mastic-Shirley community, and that concerns about traffic and neighborhood impacts are heard and addressed, will be essential.

Construction marks the start of a visible change on William Floyd Parkway. Residents should expect ongoing building activity and Town monitoring in the months ahead. The coming months will show how the center shapes community life, and how planners and leaders manage traffic, safety and programming to serve both worshippers and nearby neighborhoods.