Big step forward for Riverhead's downtown plans

For more than two decades, the Town of Riverhead has dreamed of what's possible in its downtown area. Leadership would change, proposals would shift, but those visions remained, year after year, meeting after meeting, plan after plan.

Now, Riverhead's dreams are closer to becoming reality.

More than two years ago, Riverhead won the state's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, after years of trying. That was the town's first big coup. Now, the federal government is adding what local officials call the “missing puzzle piece” — a $24 million Department of Transportation grant that will help the town build a new parking garage, improve streetscapes, and add to its flood protection efforts.

It's a stunning win for Riverhead, which has long sought to develop a vibrant, walkable downtown, open up its riverfront, and give its economy the boost it needs.

One important part of that campaign was local officials recognizing that the town should move its downtown parking away from the banks of the Peconic River to allow for more open space, an outdoor amphitheater, and pedestrian and bicycle paths that would better connect the riverfront with the train station and the rest of the downtown. To do that, the town needed a new parking garage, which often comes with a hefty price tag. 

That's where the federal funds come in to play.

Riverhead won the grant on its fifth try, though the town seemed to get closer each time. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer played a role, first by making sure the grant — through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RISE, program — was fully funded, thanks in part to the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Then Schumer helped the town make its case, working with officials to tweak their application and advocating for it. Those efforts, combined with the town's own redevelopment progress and its partnerships with the state and Suffolk County, helped it win an extraordinarily competitive grant.

Also deserving of kudos: Riverhead Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard and community development director Dawn Thomas, who have built upon their predecessors' work to move the town forward. The dynamic between elected officials in Riverhead has at times been adversarial. The town has dealt with its share of naysayers. But its leaders didn't give up, engaging residents and making changes as necessary.

Communities across Long Island can learn from Riverhead's stops and starts — and its ultimate success. The lesson: Developing new, walkable neighborhoods, revitalizing downtowns, and adding new housing and business is possible with the right leadership, partnerships and community involvement.

When all is done, Riverhead will have a new town square; additional housing, retail and parking; an expanded Suffolk Theater; and a walkable, open riverfront lined with trees and other greenery.

Then, Riverhead truly will be the “beacon for the East End” its leaders envisioned.