Southampton, Riverhead Towns Will Join Forces To Try And Secure $10 Million Revitalization Grant

Southampton Town will join forces with neighboring Riverhead Town in applying for a multimillion-dollar state grant that, if secured, would be spent on revitalization efforts in the “sister communities” of Riverside and downtown Riverhead.

Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said Friday that he has had discussions with Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter about the two municipalities jointly applying for a $10 million grant through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, money that would be used to assist ongoing revitalization efforts in the neighboring communities. The initiative includes a $100 million pool of funds to be evenly distributed throughout the 10 Regional Economic Development Councils in the state.

Suffolk and Nassau counties make up one of councils, which were developed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in 2011 as a way to develop long-term plans for regional economic growth.

According to the state’s website, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative will invest $10 million in one specific downtown neighborhood in each of the councils that could then be transformed into a vibrant community for people to live, work and raise their families.

“The program emphasizes using investments to reinforce and secure additional public and private investments proximal to, and within, downtown neighborhoods, and in doing so will build upon growth spurred by the governor’s Regional Economic Development Councils,” the website states.

Mr. Schneiderman explained that, after he learned Mr. Walter was also interested in applying for the grant for downtown Riverhead, he thought the two municipalities could join together under one application that would benefit both Riverside and Riverhead, which he referred to as “sister communities.”

“They will only give the money to one community,” Mr. Schneiderman said, noting the competitive nature of the state grant. “We’re up against Wyandanch, Hempstead—a lot of very populated areas that are going to be fighting hard.

“I stressed to Supervisor Walter that we would be better teaming up, and we would figure out how to divide the money,” he added. “It’s really one downtown area, and I think Supervisor Walter sees the importance—he seemed quite willing to partner. I think this will strengthen our application.”

Mr. Walter was not available for comment this week.

Southampton Town has spent years developing a plan to revitalize the Riverside community. In December, under former Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, the Town Board adopted the Riverside Action Plan, which gives property owners, residents and businesses the option of keeping the current zoning for their properties or adopting changes via a new zoning plan, with the overarching goal of enhancing the quality of life in Riverside through beneficial development and adding more job opportunities and affordable housing.

But the first step in allowing most of that development to happen is the creation of a still-unbuilt sewer district to serve Riverside, which officials have estimated would cost upward of tens of millions of dollars if the town installed a new one on its own. Mr. Schneiderman noted that if the two municipalities are awarded the state grant and split it evenly—receiving $5 million each—the money could possibly be put toward that project. Other revitalization expenses would include installing new sidewalks and street lighting.

“The development of the Riverside area, just the sewer treatment alone, is far in excess of that number,” Mr. Schneiderman said, referring to the $5 million in state funding his town would receive. “Five million is a lot of money, but it won’t go that far.”

According to Southampton Town Deputy Supervisor Frank Zappone, the deadline to apply for the grant is this Friday, May 20. The Long Island Regional Economic Development Council will then nominate a downtown region to receive the funds no later than Thursday, June 30.