Sunburst

Aside from the modern Corcoran Building, the other large swath of derelict structure at the former Central Islip State Hospital was the Sunburst Building complex. It consisted of thirteen buildings arranged in a semicircle, connected with a above-ground passage along the inner radius. The graceful curvature was certainly reminiscent of the elegant and meandering mile-long String of Pearls complex, which was carelessly demolished for a shopping mall some years ago.

Sunburst was initially designed as a tubercular ward for psychiatric patients, and placed far back on the campus to isolate others from the disease. The central building held its own kitchens and medical facilities, making the complex more self-sufficient and thus keeping residents and staff quarantined. Each building was flanked by a glass-encased solarium on its south side, as sunlight and fresh air were typical treatments for tuberculosis at the time.

NYIT had renovated half of the complex, but that space was eventually abandoned due to downsizing of the college, leaving the entire Sunburst group shuttered and decaying.