Riverhead's Downtown Makeover: Businesses Face Eminent Domain

Riverhead's Downtown Revitalization Project

• 🚀 Riverhead, the gateway to the Hamptons, is undergoing a significant multi-million dollar upgrade aimed at transforming its struggling downtown.
• 💡 The $40 million project, funded by grants, includes plans for a boutique hotel, condos, cafes, an amphitheater, and a spray ground.
• 🎯 Parking will be relocated from the riverfront to allow for better access to downtown businesses and the river.

Businesses in the Path of Development

• ⚠️ Two businesses, Sean Kenna's bar 'Crafted' and the Long Island Science Center, are directly in the way of the proposed town square.
• ⚖️ The town is considering eminent domain, a process where private property can be taken for public use, which has caused significant concern for these businesses.
• 💰 Sean Kenna estimates a $400,000 investment in his rented bar space, including $12,000 for beer lines, which he cannot recoup if forced to move.

Negotiating a Resolution

• 🔬 The Long Island Science Center is urging the town to allow them to stay, prioritizing children's programs over new condos.
• 🤝 The town supervisor is hopeful about the science center's plans and has initiated condemnation proceedings to encourage progress.
• 📍 The town is assisting 'Crafted' in finding a new nearby location and will buy out its lease.
• 🗓️ Groundbreaking for the town square is anticipated this fall, with Riverside Dining expected in 2027.
• 📢 A public hearing on the Riverhead Town Square project is scheduled for May 21st.