Downtown revitalization

Riverhead officials say the long-planned downtown revitalization effort is moving from planning to construction, with hotel work expected to begin this month and major public improvements scheduled through 2030.

The Riverhead Town Board voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve site plan and special permit applications for the proposed Peconic River Hotel, advancing Joe Petrocelli’s five-story downtown hotel project amid renewed questions about parking, environmental review and pending IDA financial assistance.

Aquebogue resident Ron Hariri questions town square plan and objects to tax breaks for Petrocelli's hotel development.

A sparsely attended hearing on the proposed Peconic River Hotel focused on parking, site plan review, public costs and downtown redevelopment.

The proposed 94-room downtown hotel eliminates 12 condominium units previously planned and replaced them with 14 suites on the fifth floor. It will operate under Hilton’s Tapestry brand.

Here’s a first look at the proposed Petrocelli downtown hotel project ahead of today’s Riverhead Town Board review.

A split Riverhead Town Board voted Tuesday to set a May 20 public hearing on condemning the Long Island Science Center’s long-vacant East Main Street building.

The Riverhead Country Fair will not take place this year, the 50th anniversary of the popular event’s founding in 1976. 

Take a look at what’s planned for the East End Arts campus in Riverhead’s town square project, from moving historic buildings to creating a more visible arts hub downtown.

The Long Island Science Center submitted a 92-page packet Tuesday in a failed last-minute bid to stop Riverhead from advancing acquisition of its East Main Street building.