Revitalizing Riverhead: A Gateway Becomes a Destination

When Forbes created a list of the top 50 travel destinations around the world this year, it listed places from the Canary Islands to Qatar, Colorado Springs to the Seychelles. There were 11 in the United States and one on Long Island: Riverhead.

The location, near vineyards, breweries and beaches, with an aquarium, the Riverhead Raceway, the “Big Duck,” hotels and theaters, is famous for its  proximity to both forks, as well as Tanger Outlets, Splish Splash and world-class kayaking on the Peconic River.

“We’re the gateway to the north and south fork. I don’t want people driving through,” said Joseph Petrocelli, CEO of J. Petrocelli Construction, in Ronkonkoma, and master planner for the revitalization. “I want you to stay.”

Riverhead is beginning to garner recognition amid a revitalization that may make it among the biggest Long Island renaissances in years. Legislation has been passed, millions have been allocated and are being spent from Main Street to the waterfront as vision meets action. From Suffolk County to the Suffolk County IDA, New York State to the Town of Riverhead, the stars seem aligned.

“We simultaneously are ensuring we develop smartly while maintaining our bucolic and scenic areas,” Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said. “We decided downtown Main Street and the train street need attention.”

Riverhead is becoming a center of public and private funding as companies and government collaborate. Gov. Kathy Hochul last year allocated $10 million to develop a new town square, enhance street scapes, housing, culture and the arts.

“We are committed to revitalizing Long Island, and these investments will create a more walkable, vibrant downtown,” Gov. Hochul said of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.

Wrecking balls took down two buildings, eliminating a kind of wall between Main Street and the waterfront which  Petrocelli sees as a pivotal moment before he builds the new town square.

“That was the beginning of what I could call a transformative renaissance in Riverhead,” Aguiar said. “The groundwork and the foundation have been laid. It’s well on its way. It’s no longer talk, opinions.”

She spoke from the new Riverhead town hall, a $20 million acquisition and retrofit of a building that once housed the Suffolk County National Bank and then Peconic Bay Medical Center and now the town hall.

“The employees are happy and proud of it. They’re in a much newer place,” Petrocelli said. “It’s going to do the town very well in my opinion. There’s a different pride in this building.”

Petrocelli already has left his imprint on Riverhead, attracting 250,000 annually to the Aquarium and serving thousands in his hotels, now operating at high occupancy.

“My role is to develop an attraction, a draw that’s going to complete our vision of a downtown destination that will include the aquarium, hotels, marina, theaters and anything else we can bring downtown to create more of a destination,” he said.

RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

Riverhead has long had a lot going for it, including the Peconic River  flowing through it. Downtown Riverhead is 15 to 20 minutes from the Hamptons, 10 minutes from wineries, active farms, agrotourism and beaches.

“It’s the only riverfront town on Long Island,” Town of Riverhead Community Development Director Dawn Thomas said. “The goal of the revitalization is to make the downtown a walkable, activated, family-friendly destination for people who live here and visit, and tourism.”

Riverhead, though, has long been a town divided, with the river hidden behind Main Street buildings. Those walls are coming down,

“All roads lead to Riverhead. We’re in the middle of a massive renaissance here,” Thomas said. “We think we can bring all those people to visit us and enjoy our amazing town.”

READY FOR CLOSEUP

Riverhead has always had potential, but as Farmingdale, Patchogue and Huntington thrived, Riverhead’s plans often treaded water. Now the motivation, the money and the means are there.

“For the last two decades, there’s been a lot of studies, talk and surveys, but nothing came to fruition,” Aguiar said. “Our goal is to make sure it comes to fruition.”

Riverhead hired Urban Design Associates, led by Barry Long, to develop a plan. Aguiar worked with Urban Design Associates and the Army Corps of Engineers, focusing on things like opening Main Street to the waterfront.

“We started with strategic planning and marketing studies to find out what would work and be successful,” Thomas said. “We did a lot of our homework. We’re building from the bottom up.”

The plan is to put the river back in Riverhead. Thomas calls the river its “largest asset,” now being revealed as a parking lot is transformed into a potential paradise.

“Before we opened up the town square, you couldn’t see it,” Thomas said. “We want people to come here and stay, experience Riverhead. We have a historic downtown, a great community.”

The railroad station region, meanwhile, is in the midst of a massive rebuild led by RXR/Georgica Green Ventures.

VISION MEETS ACTION

What’s different compared to decades of dreams unrealized? Joseph Petrocelli, the master planner, builder and owner of the Long Island Aquarium and hotels, is part of he answer.

His company has built much of Long Island from the Jones Beach Theater to the Ducks stadium, along with Manhattan skyscrapers. Petrocelli (whose family also owns Raphael Vineyards) and his family are helping remake Riverhead. His daughters Jennifer, Jacqueline and Alexandra manage The Preston House & Hotel, Atlantis Banquets, the Long Island Aquarium and the Sea Star Ballroom.

“He believes in Riverhead. He’s got a tremendous affinity for Riverhead,” Aguiar said of Petrocelli. “He decided to take a chance and build the aquarium followed by the Hyatt. He’s working with us to develop the town square. He has a vision. He built the building where we are currently sitting.”

Aguiar sees Petrocelli as a visionary and a builder helping lead Riverhead into a new chapter with commitment, competence and care.

“He understands Riverhead. He does great work,” she said. “We selected him as the master planner to help us develop our town. It was a unanimous decision by the board.”

He also plans to build 85 hotel rooms and 15 condominiums, so travelers find room at the inn when they want to stay. “The Hyatt and Preston House have good occupancy,” Petrocelli said. “The East End needs rooms.”

TOWN SQUARE

While the revitalization is far reaching, the town square, which Petrocelli is slated to build, is one centerpiece along with RXR’s redeveloped railroad station region..

“It’s really a gathering space for everyone. It’s community connections, recreational amenities, and the Peconic riverfront,” Petrocelli said. “It’s going to be a concentration of cultural and arts attractions. It’s going to attract new businesses.”

RXR has been betting on Riverhead, building a transit oriented development  around the train station in what many hope will be a Riverhead renaissance. “They believe in us. They believed in Riverhead,” Aguiar said. “And they saw great potential.”

She says “Cars shouldn’t have riverfront views; It should be people,” noting a parking garage would go up instead.

Riverhead is taking on potential problems: Flooding on the south side of Main Street is being addressed, raising some properties as part of a flood mitigation plan.

In addition to the town square, Riverhead has taken over the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall and hopes to complete its  renovation and expansion. And plans call for a parking garage on the north side of Main Street that could fit up to 570  spaces.

And they’re creating more downtown housing, hoping to increase 500 new to 1,000, including ownership and rental within walking distance of downtown.

Aguiar, who won a second term as supervisor, said she won’t seek a third. Still, Riverhead’s renaissance is well under way as Petrocelli prepares to continue his work. “The foundation has been laid,” Aguiar said, “and there’s no turning back.”

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