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Riverhead board adopts eminent-domain finding for 111 East Main Street amid opposition
Summary
The town board adopted a resolution (No. 553) declaring a public-purpose basis to pursue acquisition of 111 East Main Street; residents and nonprofit advocates protested potential cost, lack of transparency and alternatives for the Long Island Science Center; town counsel said compensation and appraisal will be addressed in subsequent actions.
The Town of Riverhead on June 2 adopted a resolution (No. 553) adopting findings and a determination under Article 2 of the Eminent Domain Procedure Law regarding the possible acquisition of 111 East Main Street, a vacant downtown building associated in public discussion with the Long Island Science Center project.
Multiple members of the public urged the board to reconsider or to provide more fiscal detail before proceeding. Cindy Clifford of Riverhead asked, "Why are board members and the CDA director unable or unwilling to tell us how many millions of dollars this takeover could cost us?" and said the threat of eminent domain had chilled grant funding.
Others, including John McCall (Rolling Woods) and Paul (speaker 32), pressed the board on alternatives and transparency. Ron Harari (online) raised potential ethics and disclosure issues and said he planned to refer procedural concerns to the town's ethics body and expected litigation.
Town Attorney (mister Howard) explained that the resolution under consideration makes a determination about whether a municipal purpose exists; if the board adopts it, subsequent steps (appraisal, negotiation or court proceedings and compensation) would follow in later actions. "This resolution just makes a determination," he said, adding that compensation and appraisal are addressed in subsequent resolutions.
At the meeting a board member who spoke in favor said the building has been vacant and blighted for years and argued the town needs activation to support downtown revitalization; the speaker also said the town would be reimbursed in the long run and that funds for an initial acquisition would come from fund balance and be recaptured on resale. Opponents questioned that assertion and asked the board to publish likely costs and appraisal estimates before taking steps that could lead to condemnation.
The board adopted the resolution; town counsel and board members said that an appraisal and a formal determination of compensation will follow if the process continues. Several speakers warned that the action could prompt immediate litigation.
The board also considered many routine resolutions later in the meeting and adopted a long slate of administrative and appointment measures.
