Suffolk to Acquire Land for Mixed-Use “Summer Wind” on Peconic Avenue Which Will Include Retail, Restaurant and 52 Affordable Rental Units

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and Riverhead town officials today announced “a fresh breeze of redevelopment” for the downtown corridor as they unveiled plans for “Summer Wind Square” on Peconic Avenue – a mixed-use development that will include 52 affordable rental units.

Levy earlier this week filed a resolution to begin the process of acquiring three adjacent parcels on the east side of Peconic Avenue, just south of Main Street, to host the 8,600-square-foot, $10 million development that will play a vital role in the revitalization of downtown Riverhead.

“This type of public-private initiative has worked for other downtowns, such as Patchogue, and Suffolk is committed to providing the land, along with infrastructure improvements needed to make this plan a reality,” said Levy. “Summer Wind Square is a development that will bring retail – and residents – back into downtown Riverhead.”

“I applaud the critical and substantial support of Suffolk County for this innovative mixed use smart growth project called “Summer Wind,” said Riverhead Supervisor Phil Cardinale. “The fifty-two next generation housing units will bring life to our downtown community. The restaurant and retail will continue the downtown Riverhead revitalization which has already begun with the planned Hyatt Hotel at Atlantis Aquarium, the planned Marriott Residence Inn at the old Woolworth site, the building renovation occurring at the corner of East Main Street and Peconic Avenue, the new Supreme Court building on Griffing Avenue, and the grant funded improvements underway on the river at Grangeble Park.”

Tenants for the 52 affordable rental units, which will occupy the upper four floors of the five-story building, will be screened and qualified by the not-for-profit Long Island Housing Partnership, while the street level that feature retail and commercial shops as well as a 100-seat restaurant will be managed by the developers, Eastern Property Investments.

Under Levy’s resolution, Suffolk will acquire three parcels, totaling just under one-third of an acre, located at 28, 30 and 40 Peconic Avenue (just south of the historic Vail Levitt Music Hall) for the development. The county will also perform infrastructure enhancement (sidewalks, lighting, drainage) to support the project.

All rental units will be targeted for households under 80% of the HUD area median income limits. The development has received the support of the Riverhead Town Board and has received site plan approval and Suffolk Planning Commission approval.

The resolution will be eligible for approval by the County Legislature at its June 23 meeting, which will be held in Riverhead.

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