Riverside revitalization

The grant allows Southampton Town to proceed with wastewater treatment system that is key to Riverside revitalization plan now taking shape.

Riverhead's ultimate goal was to have the new Riverside Sewer District treat wastewater from the county complex in Riverside, which the Riverhead Sewer District has been handling since 1969.

Southampton Town held a public hearing Tuesday on a plan to use $2.4 million to purchase land for a new mixed-use affordable housing complex in Riverside that officials said could “set the scene” for revitalization plans there.

The developer of the Riverview Lofts apartment building in downtown Riverhead has proposed a 40-unit rental apartment complex with ground-floor retail space in Riverside.

The stopgap funding measure enacted this weekend does not contain any congressionally directed spending for fiscal year 2025, including a $5 million grant submitted by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the Riverside sewer district facility.

Fair housing advocate Pilar Moya-Mancera of Housing Help Inc. argues that the hyper-concentration of affordable housing in the already underserved, low-income community of Riverside is a terrible idea that may violate the federal Fair Housing Act.

Riverhead Town has retained an attorney to sue the Town of Southampton over its proposed sewer district for the hamlet of Riverside — a facility that is essential to developing mixed-use housing in the hamlet, as called for by a plan approved by Southampton nearly a decade ago.

Southampton Town officials and residents gathered on Wednesday morning to celebrate the opening of the new Riverside Maritime Trail Park.

Trouble is brewing between the two towns that straddle the Peconic River. The bone of contention: Southampton Town’s plan for revitalization of the Riverside hamlet, adopted nearly 10 years ago.

Supervisor Tim Hubbard offered Southampton officials Riverhead’s help to revise its Riverside development plans, including partnering on a market and demographic study. He also asked that the proposed Riverside sewer district take in the county facilities there.