State Grants Awarded To Transform Downtown Riverhead

RIVERHEAD, NY — Two New York State grants are set to transform an area of downtown Riverhead long marked by shuttered stores and a struggle for sustainable revitalization.

After being awarded separate grants from Empire State Development, New York State’s chief economic development agency, in December, the Town of Riverhead and the Long Island Science Center joined forces to announce two adjacent projects in the heart of downtown Riverhead that they believe will play "significant roles in transforming the riverfront business district," a release from the town said.

The Town of Riverhead was awarded an $800,000 grant through the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council for a project to create a Town Square consisting of a public gathering space, pedestrian connectivity and open vistas from Main Street to the riverfront, the release said.

The primary goal of that project is to reorient the pedestrian focus from the traditional Main Street to the Peconic Riverwalk. The town, the release said, intends to repurpose some existing town-owned riverfront parking as public gathering spaces, with performance spaces, splash fountains and permeable brick/stone pathways interspersed with rain gardens behind the new Town Square. The rain/river friendly areas will provide amenities for community members while also helping capture the occasional flooding experienced near the Peconic River, the release said. In addition, the site will include interactive environmental learning stations.

In addition, the Long Island Science Center was awarded a $775,000 grant through the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council to support its expansion to a building adjacent to the proposed Town Square.

The Science Center reopened a demonstration space in January, 2019, in Riverhead after selling their East Main Street, Riverhead location, a development that marked the beginning of its long-term expansion plan.

Plans for the new Long Island Science Center location, the release said, include more than 6,000 square feet of exhibition space, a new dedicated MakerSpace, and four classrooms. The new exhibition space will incorporate many of the current programs and expand capacity to also allow for new offerings.

Riverhead Supervisor Yvette Aguiar reflected on the New York State grant awards and what that infusion of funding will mean for the area. “The Long Island Science Center could have elected to relocate elsewhere in region. However, they made a distinct decision to expand in the heart of Main Street, next to Riverhead Town Square," she said. "I want to thank New York State for funding both of these important projects."

"We are pleased to be entering the next stage of the expansion plan that would not be
possible without the support of New York State and Empire State Development," Long Island
Science Center Board President Larry Oxman said. "The new building will allow us to create a
truly inspirational exhibition space for visitors to the Science Center, as well as plenty of
classroom space to accommodate much larger groups than we can currently host," he said.

The plan is to continue to offer many of the most popular interactive exhibits offered, including virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D art and printing, and the engineering zone, said Long Island Science Center Executive Director Cailin Kaller. "We are excited to expand to include new interactive spaces including coding and robotics, a citizen science space, electric circuitry, a special space for pre-school exploration, and a large exhibit area dedicated to the important and historic innovation and technology that was created here on Long Island," Kaller said.

Added Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul: “Long Island’s high-tech industry is continuing to grow with new businesses, development projects, and investments supporting innovative ideas, research, and advanced technology. As chair of the statewide Regional Economic Development
Councils, we want to make sure that students are trained for jobs now and in the future in the
STEM fields to help ensure they have the skills they need to secure good jobs and meet
businesses’ needs. Funding for the these projects will continue to advance the revitalization of
Riverhead’s downtown and allow the Long Island Science Center to accommodate more students
— enhancing the educational and visitor experience.”

Rep. Lee Zeldin said the investment in downtown Riverhead will promote the continued revitalization and economic development of Riverhead’s business district and Long Island.

Downtown Riverhead has made notable progress in its revitalization efforts in
recent years, New York State Senator Ken LaValle said. "This community has a vision for a revitalized downtown and I commend the hard work and planning of all those involved in securing this grant and working to enhance facilities and improve access to the waterfront for all residents and visitors."

And, said, New York State Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo, “The synergistic combination of the Town Square and the relocation of the Long Island Science Museum have the potential to transform downtown into a thriving regional shopping and recreational destination.”

New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele added that the expansion of the Long Island Science Center and the revitalization of Riverhead’s downtown will attract "countless" new visitors to the area and will have lasting impacts on both the economy and the community.

The revitalization will lead to a "flouring downtown business district" that will benefit all of Suffolk County, Legislator Al Krupski said.

“Unequivocally having other government entities as funding partners will be vital to ensuring that both projects’ full economic development potential comes to fruition. The Town Square will transform the downtown business district into a thriving regional hub that will attract thousands of people to live, work and play here in Riverhead," Aguiar said.