McGann-Mercy Property Sold To Peconic Bay Medical Center

RIVERHEAD, NY — The Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation announced Monday that it had acquired the property and buildings formerly occupied by McGann-Mercy Diocesan High School in Riverhead from the Diocese of Rockville Centre for $14 million.

The 24-acre parcel has been unoccupied since the school closed in June 2018.

News of the school's closure two years ago sparked heartbreak and outrage across the East End from those who said McGann-Mercy had played a central part in their children's lives and in their family's collective memories and others who were shocked by the sudden announcement.

“In the spirit of ongoing community benefit and investment, the Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation is pleased to have reached an agreement with the Diocese of Rockville Centre for the purchase of the former Bishop McGann-Mercy High School property,” said Andrew Mitchell, Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation president and CEO. “The Foundation looks forward to working with the medical center and the Town of Riverhead to develop future plans recognizing the growing and diverse health care needs of the East End.”

Emilie Roy Corey, chair of the PBMC Foundation Board and a longtime community member, said that since 1956, "this property has been devoted to education and service to the community. We are happy to have concluded our negotiations with the Diocese of Rockville Centre so that we may proceed in planning for the continuation of service to the community with much needed expanded health care services.”

Peconic Bay Medical Center’s ongoing expansion of clinical programs and services, including the recent opening of the Corey Critical Care Pavilion and Kanas Regional Heart Center, reflects the hospital’s ongoing need for additional space as it continues to evolve into the regional medical center for the East End, PMBC officials said.

“Knowing that this property, which has been dormant since the school closed, will in the future provide much-needed healthcare for the community, will be a great tribute to Saint Catherine McCauley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy,” said Sean P. Dolan, director of communications for the Diocese of Rockville Centre.