Riverhead presenters say $25 million federal grant will fund streetscape and pedestrian upgrades

Presenters told the Riverhead Town Board that a federal grant awarded in 2024 will fund a major package of pedestrian and parking improvements intended to better connect a development site to Main Street. The presenter said the program—described in the meeting as a federal grant to the local initiative—totaled $25,000,000 and covers sidewalks, lighting, benches, wayfinding and other streetscape work.

"Our walk this town was a recipient of a, federal raise grant in 2024 for 25000000 dollars for pedestrian, and parking improvement," the presenter said. Town staff and board members said the grant money will also support work on Griffin Avenue as the direct connection to Main Street, including sidewalk widening, street narrowing, landscape lighting and wayfinding signage. The board emphasized the goal of activating the far east end of Main Street and said early financing and town divisions are already being used to begin related work.

Meeting participants were urged to incorporate the planned streetscape improvements into developer proposals and to coordinate design proposals with the town's pattern book and other guidance. The board also encouraged proposers to flag how their designs would interface with the funded public improvements so private and public investments align.

The presentation concluded with the Chair asking attendees to continue submitting questions and to follow up with town staff, and with presenters offering to support proposers as the designs advance.