Riverhead Town took a major step Wednesday toward bringing a YMCA facility to the former state armory property on Route 58, authorizing a non-binding letter of intent with the YMCA of Long Island for redevelopment of the long-vacant site.
The proposal would transform the decommissioned New York State Armory at 1405 Old Country Road into a full YMCA facility featuring multi-purpose rooms, community kitchen space, a STEM lab, teen room, gymnasium, indoor track, sports courts, fitness areas, aquatics and administrative offices, according to the letter of intent approved by the Town Board.
The project represents the most concrete progress in decades toward establishing a YMCA in Riverhead, an idea that has circulated locally for years but never advanced this far.
Under the proposed arrangement, the YMCA would renovate and rehabilitate the existing armory building at its own expense and operate the facility under a proposed 99-year lease. The town-owned site comprises about 5.9 acres on Old Country Road adjacent to Riverhead’s Stotzky Park.
The town acquired the former armory property from New York State in 2011 with plans to construct a police headquarters and justice court complex there, but the project never moved forward because of its projected cost. The building has remained largely underutilized for years.
A key hurdle remains before the lease can be finalized: state legislation is required because the 2011 deed transferring the property to the town restricts its use to a police and court complex or recreational purposes under the auspices of the police department.
Legislation authorizing the town to lease the property for YMCA use has already passed the New York State Senate and is currently advancing through the Assembly. A similar bill passed the Assembly last year but did not clear the Senate before the legislative session ended.
Assembly Member Jodi Giglio said Tuesday she is confident the bill will pass the Assembly again this year and that Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign it.
Council Member Bob Kern, who has spearheaded the effort, said in an interview Thursday that YMCA officials had previously been hesitant about Riverhead after earlier discussions failed to materialize.
“I told them I would push the largest rock up the steepest hill to make sure this happens,” Kern said. “The board wants to see this happen, and it’s not going to be like it was in the past.”
Kern said he has spent nearly four years working on the proposal and called it “a huge benefit to the community.”
At Wednesday night’s Town Board meeting, Debbie Kneidl, chief development officer for the YMCA of Long Island and an Aquebogue resident, said the letter of intent would provide the organization with sufficient site control to begin seeking funding and approvals for the project.
Kneidl described the proposal as the result of “years of careful study, thoughtful planning, and meaningful community engagement.”
She said the proposed facility would help address public health and wellness needs while providing programming for seniors, youth and families.
“We are the heart of many communities,” Kneidl told the board. “The YMCA of Long Island is truly dedicated to being a responsible and collaborative partner with the Town of Riverhead.”
Council Member Denise Merrifield called the proposal “a tremendous asset” for the town and said the project would repurpose the long-underutilized armory building.
The letter of intent states that the YMCA would be responsible for all construction, equipment, operations and maintenance costs associated with the facility. The agreement also contemplates possible joint programming with nearby Stotzky Park.
The YMCA’s obligations would be contingent on obtaining all necessary permits and sufficient project funding. The organization would also have the right to conduct environmental investigations at the site and terminate negotiations if dissatisfied with the results.
The town commits in the letter to facilitate the approval process and seek to have permits and certificates issued within 24 months after the YMCA submits its initial plans.
The letter of intent is expressly non-binding except for confidentiality provisions and does not itself create a lease agreement.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
