The Town Square is the largest project funded through Riverhead’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. The New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative contributed $4.2 million toward the plaza, which will serve as the centerpiece of the town’s broader redevelopment plans.
Officials said the project is designed to draw visitors, support local businesses, and provide new recreational amenities by opening direct pedestrian access between Main Street and the riverfront.
Features will include green spaces, an amphitheater, playground, walkways, mixed-use commercial space, and a boutique hotel.
Part of the redevelopment involves demolishing the 1950s-era mixed-use building at 127 East Main Street to open the block and create room for the public plaza.
In addition to DRI funding, the Town Square project received $400,000 in Brownfield Opportunity Area funds, $3.2 million from Empire State Development, and $500,000 from the New York State Historic Preservation Office.
It also received $400,000 from Suffolk County and $97,500 from Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization funds. Federal RAISE Program funding accounts for an additional $24 million.
“Investing in Riverhead’s new Town Square is an investment in the residents who call this community home,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. She added that reconnecting Main Street to the Peconic Riverfront would strengthen downtown and help make Riverhead a year-round destination for both residents and visitors.
Riverhead was selected as Long Island’s DRI winner in 2021. Other local projects funded through the DRI include:
- Suffolk Theater expansion with new back-of-house space and workforce housing
- Mixed-use development on Griffin Avenue featuring workforce housing and retail
- Pedestrian safety upgrades on Main Street including raised crosswalks and curb bump-outs
- A downtown public art program featuring works by local artists
- A new library entrance and welcome center with improved accessibility and signage
- Peconic Park enhancements, including an adaptive playground and water feature
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative, launched in 2016, has invested more than $1.2 billion in 151 communities statewide.
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