Riverhead snares $567,000 downtown grant

Riverhead Town has received a $567,000 state grant to conduct a revitalization study for downtown Riverhead.

Riverhead was one of 21 communities across New York to be funded in a $6.5 million initiative by the state’s Brownfield Opportunity Areas program.

The grants were announced today by the Department of State, which administers the program in partnership with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The grant is intended to fund an in-depth study, including “an economic and market-trends analysis to determine the best opportunities and reuse potential for strategic sites and to identify steps for revitalization,” according to a press release announcing the award.

“This initiative provides neighborhoods with the much needed support to create effective strategies for sustained redevelopment,” said Acting Secretary of State Ruth Noemi Colón, in the press release.

“Communities participating in the program are establishing the groundwork for sound investments that will be the catalysts for cleaning up, improving, and energizing New York’s local economies. Brownfield redevelopment will help reuse former industrial and commercial sites in ways that will revitalize our communities while providing for a cleaner, healthier environment.”

Brownfields are dormant properties where contamination has impeded redevelopment, making them an economic and environmental drain on localities, according to the state department.

“This generous BOA grant is fantastic timely news as downtown Riverhead is seeing a wave of new development through both public and private investment,” Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter said.

“BOA funding for planning and economic assistance will target reuse and development opportunities to attract investment and support redevelopment,” Walter said.