The site plan application for an addition to the Suffolk Theater on East Main Street had a public hearing before the Riverhead Town Board Tuesday afternoon.
The 59-foot, 4-inch tall addition on the rear of the theater will consist of an expanded stage and backstage area, including a new “green room,” dressing rooms, restrooms, kitchenette, laundry room, showers, and mechanical rooms, as well as approximately 2,970 square feet of first-floor retail space and 28 apartments on floors two through five. The market rate apartments will consist of 20 studio and eight one-bedroom units.
“The purpose of this expansion is to secure the future of the theater for generations to come with a solid business model that will cement the financial stability of the theater as a viable performing arts center,” Suffolk Theater consultant Vic Prusinowski told the town board.
The apartments and retail space will “ensure a steady income” to allow the theater to be sustainable as a performing arts center, Prusinowski said.
An expanded stage and backstage area will allow the theater to book musical acts and other types of performances it cannot presently accommodate with its limited stage size and lack of a functional backstage area, Prusinowski said.
Supervisor Yvette Aguiar told Prusinowski the theater is one of downtown’s “anchors” — the other being the aquarium, she said — and the town square plans made Suffolk Theater “the focal point.” The town razed two buildings directly across from the theater and plans to create a public space there as the centerpiece of downtown redevelopment.
In response to a question from Councilman Tim Hubbard regarding the theater’s status with the water district, Prusinowski said the theater’s engineer has conducted a fire suppression flow test to ensure water pressure is sufficient for a sprinkler system for the addition. It passed, he said. The theater will also conduct a residential flow test to verify water capacity for the apartments. The theater is working with the water district, Prusinowski said.
Riverhead Water District Superintendent Frank Mancini has implemented new requirements for issuing a water availability letter to developers with pending applications in the water district.
Gwen Mack of Riverhead asked if the apartments would be “low-income apartments where someone who makes $15 An hour can afford it.”
Prusinowski replied they would be market-rate units “geared toward artists,” not affordable rental units.
Mack was the only member of the public to comment.
Councilman Ken Rothwell praised the plan as “a great, great idea.” The expansion of the stage will allow the theater to book bigger, more popular acts, he said. “And you’re staying in the confines of the space you’re already utilizing in the back, which is the fenced-off area,” Rothwell said. “So I think that’s just putting it all to better use.”
The hearing record was left open for written comments until Friday, April 15 at 4:30 p.m. Comments should be mailed to the Riverhead Town Clerk, 200 Howell Avenue, Riverhead NY 11901, or emailed to the town clerk .
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