Riverhead Town will end its effort to seize a blighted building on East Main Street from the Long Island Science Center, clearing the way for the nonprofit to build a new museum on the town square.
The Riverhead Town Board will vote to cancel the hearing scheduled for Wednesday on whether to use eminent domain to acquire the Riverhead-based nonprofit’s building at 111 East Main Street, Supervisor Tim Hubbard said during a press conference Monday at the town square. Town officials had said the building is severely damaged and poses a “danger to the public;” the town planned to buy the building and sell it to a private developer for demolition and redevelopment.
Last month, science center officials, working with new architects, presented a revised two-phase plan for the museum during the Town Board’s work session. The plan is both “feasible” and “fundable,” Hubbard said; it “focuses on addressing the most glaring issues in the existing building and allows them to open as soon as possible.”
Science center officials said they hope to complete the first phase of renovations — allowing it to open the museum — by this fall.
“I’m very happy,” Long Island Science Center President Larry Oxman said after Hubbard’s announcement.
MORE COVERAGE: Facing eminent domain, L.I. Science Center pitches two-phase plan to Riverhead Town
Hubbard’s announcement was applauded by a small group of residents and local business owners who had gathered downtown to hear the news.
“I’m really happy that the Science Center is going to be on Main Street again. I’m just really pleased,” said Cindy Clifford, president of the Heart of Riverhead Civic Association. The civic group had organized a letter writing campaign and circulated an online petition urging the Town Board to drop the eminent domain action.
“Whatever it took to get it there, I’m happy it’s going to be here,” Clifford added.
Jordan Rogove, principal of the science center’s new architectural firm, DXA Studio, said the science center is “thrilled at the community for standing behind these efforts.”
“For everyone that can voice their preference to keep Long Island Science Center here in Riverhead — it means a lot and has resonated deeply with the [science center] board,” Rogove said.
Hubbard said public opposition to the eminent domain did not influence the Town Board’s decision. “…it’s the direction we were going on behind the scenes the whole time. But it’s nice to hear from the community and understand what they think also,” he said.
Mark Woolley of Riverhead, a candidate for town council, called the board’s decision a victory for town residents.
“Town residents rose up against the board’s plan for more condos and five story buildings,” Woolley said. “They wanted a science center of learning for their children. They were tired of seeing their downtown destroyed.”
Council Member Ken Rothwell said the board is “thrilled that things are now coming to fruition.” There will be “true bookends on both sides of the town square,” he said.
The town plans to sell the building on the east side of the town square to a developer, who will demolish it and build a mixed-use building with 76 hotel rooms, 12 condominium units, and restaurant and retail space, according to Hubbard. The Town Board designated J. Petrocelli Development Associates as the master developer in 2022; Petrocelli’s plans will be “detailed and outlined before the public in a qualified and eligible hearing in early July,” Hubbard said.
“I know we are all excited to see construction begin here in the future town square and look forward to seeing the science center come to life here,” Hubbard said.
According to Rogove, the first phase of the science center’s project will be to renovate the interior and exterior of the building — including remedial structural work — and upgrade its mechanical systems. The second phase would relocate the entrance of the building to the town square, create a second floor with a 150-seat planetarium, event space and space for other exhibits. Improvements would also be made to make the building flood resistant.
In 2020, the science center purchased 111 East Main Street, the former home of Swezey’s Department Stores, to construct the museum right next to where town officials wanted to build the town square. Riverhead Town in 2021 purchased the three buildings adjacent to the science center on the east and demolished two of them, creating a green space that would later be developed as a public plaza.
The science center’s museum was made a major part of the town square design used to obtain state grants like the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. It and the town square were seen as attractions that would bring families from the Long Island Aquarium to the heart of Riverhead’s Main Street business district.
The science center is currently operating out of a storefront at Tanger Outlets. Now that the museum project is “back on track,” the science center is looking for members of the community to serve on committees, Oxman said. Those interested can email office@sciencecenterli.org.
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