Rebirth In Riverside: Groundbreaking For Offices At Old HoJo's

RIVERSIDE, NY — Signs of rebirth are springing up in the long-blighted Riverside community.

On Thursday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m., a groundbreaking ceremony is planned for the first new building construction to take place in Riverside at the traffic circle under the Riverside Redevelopment Action Plan, adopted in 2015.

Developer Paul Pawlowski of Mattituck received site plan approval in June to demolish a 15-year-old vacant structure, formerly known as the Howard Johnson’s and the Riverboat Restaurant, and to replace it with an 8,000 square-foot building containing medical offices and two workforce apartments above, Southampton officials said.

The project shared in a $500,000 grant from the state’s Restore New York Community Initiatives program to cover demolition costs, a release from Southampton Town said.

Master developer Renaissance Downtowns, hired by the Town of Southampton, helped build support among hundreds of residents for the RRAP plan. Local elected officials, business owners, and community members, who have long cried out for change, are expected to be present at the groundbreaking.

That same community, which has worked diligently toward redevelopment and rebirth in Riverside saw a new day born in July when the old Howard Johnson's/Riverboat Diner was razed.

It was the next step toward hope for a new future that's been in the works for years: Neighbors gathered happily outside the abandoned Howard Johnson diner at the Riverside traffic circle in May, 2017 to join elected officials for news that brought the dawn of a new day to the community after years of debate and discussion.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone joined other lawmakers to announce the beginning of work on a $5 million construction project to transform the Riverside traffic circle, which was created in the 1930s, to a "redesigned, modern roundabout" that will serve commuters and act as an economic boon to the region, with environmental benefits, as well.

"Today marks a new beginning," Bellone said. The project, the community has said, will spur the downtown economic development in Riverside, long plagued by abandoned buildings and blight. One feature of the project, Bellone said, is a new storm sewer system at the roundabout, designed and installed by the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, to improve the water quality of the Peconic River.

When first designed, the old system was created to allow water to flow directly into the Peconic River, the scene of a massive fish kill in recent years.

Now, it will be treated to remove pollutants, Bellone said. "We need, not just to rebuild, but to rebuild smart," Bellone said.

Bellone was joined by Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, Suffolk County Legislators Bridget Fleming and Al Krupski, members of the Southampton Town board, and community leaders.

The project, Bellone said, is considered "the most significant local capital improvement project in more than 50 years".

Specifics of the plan include expanding the one lane traffic circle to a two-lane, modern roundabout.

The project has seen many stops and starts.

Schneiderman, who worked tirelessly on the plan when he served as a Suffolk County Legislator, said initially, the plan involved removing one lane of traffic from the five currently leading into the circle, but when members of the community cried out against closing Riverleigh Avenue and re-routing traffic, the current plan was created, with the design an "oval" or egg shape, with the traffic circle widened for two lanes.

Schneiderman, speaking to residents, said it "was all of you," who advocated for funding to remain in the county budget for the plan.

Schneiderman thanked Bellone for his vision. He recalled walking around the area with Bellone, seeing the shuttered shops and boarded-up buildings. But Bellone, he said, saw only "potential. He saw what it could be."

He added, "We're standing where all roads come together, literally and figuratively." But, Schneiderman said, it's not only the roads, but an expanded circle of people, who have made the project a reality.

Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming was thrilled. "Finally," she said. "I'm so delighted to be here." Fleming said she was proud to have been on the Southampton Town board when a Riverside Revitalization Action Plan, including overlay zoning, was adopted. But the first step to convince developers that their investment was sensible, was to focus on easing traffic congestion, she said. She added that the environmental benefits are critically needed.

Community member Art Bridenstine was thrilled. "This is a great day. This project has been long overdue," he said.

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski said he used to come to the area for ice cream as a child, and even then the area, "a major hub," was congested. The project, he said, will benefit the environment.

And, with a traffic circle originally built in 1937, he said, "It's time."

The county executive thanked local civic organizations, including the Flanders, Riverside & Northampton Community Association, for their voices and input.

Sandy Adams, FRNCA treasurer, spoke and thanked the county and local officials for their efforts and the investment in the community.

After a study in 2011 by the Suffolk County DPW it was determined that there would be eight separate construction phases required so that traffic can be maintained in the existing traffic circle.

Work has been ongoing; the project is slated for completion by December, 2018. Looking ahead, Bellone said the county's investment in not only infrastructure, but in transportation, is key, with a focus on connecting Long Island; downtown centers are integral to revitalization, he said. And, he added, job creation is another benefit of the project, with 15 new positions. He agreed that with a traffic circle designed in the 1930s, "The time for action is now."

Also present was of Sean McLean, Renaissance Downtowns, who said the project is a true public/private partnership and would have long-lasting social, economic and environmental impacts.

Patch courtesy photo.