Joe Petrocelli

A "qualified and eligible sponsor" hearing on the town square master developer will take place July 22 at 6 p.m. at Riverhead Town Hall. The hearing is an essential step for the sale of land for development of a hotel that’s the centerpiece of the town square project.

The Riverhead Town Board designated J. Petrocelli Development Associates as master developer of the new town square last night, authorizing the the start of negotiations to further the project’s development.

J. Petrocelli Development Associates unveiled ambitious plans for the development of the public space, which the group said will “activate the town,” during a town board work session this morning,

Builder Joe Petrocelli says he’d like to use the Howell House to add five hotel suites a spa and salon to his existing hotel property, which has 20 rooms and a high-end restaurant.

Following widespread backlash to a developer's plans to raze a dilapidated home in Riverhead's downtown historic district, developer Joe Petrocelli has backed away from talk of demolition and has decided instead to restore the 112-year-old home.

Taste the East End's light, airy interior simultaneously evokes country charm and city chic. That was by design, said Alexandra Bussi, who designed the interior and runs the shop.

Historic 19th century home, in extreme disrepair following years of neglect by the Town of Riverhead, will been sold to developer Joseph Petrocelli for $150,000.