Reimagining Main Street, Riverhead, New York

Like many American towns, the Town of Riverhead had a much-loved historic Main Street that needed a refresh. Pockets of vacant buildings, aging streetscapes, and a disconnect with the adjacent waterfront stood out as weaknesses in a place with high potential. Residents longed for a vibrant connection between Main Street and the tidal Peconic River.

In 2019, a developer constructed the largest building on Main Street, sparking criticism among locals. The fallout triggered a series of events aimed at reimagining the central riverfront. The Town Board commissioned UDA to engage with residents and develop prescriptive design guidelines, which also included planning a connection between Main Street and the Peconic River with a sea level rise mitigation strategy. The recommendations encouraged the town to acquire vacant buildings to create a central gathering space and public plaza.

The next phase involved creating a Central Riverfront Activation Plan that solidified this vision. Since then, the town has secured over $35 million in State and Federal grants, along with private donations, to bring the vision to life. These funds are being used to construct a town square, civic plaza, adaptive playground, amphitheater, parking garage, and improved streetscapes. Additionally, private developers have proposed various mixed-use buildings, including a hotel, condominiums, and retail uses, all clustered around the square.

Today, the town is actively working to implement this vision while seeking additional grant funding for further amenities and enhanced sea level rise mitigation efforts.