Riverhead drops bid to seize Long Island Science Center's planned HQ by eminent domain

The Long Island Science Center could open a new museum in downtown Riverhead as early as September after the Town of Riverhead dropped plans to seize its property using eminent domain, town and nonprofit officials said this week.

Riverhead officials canceled a hearing on the condemnation proceedings for the science center Wednesday, about a month after the nonprofit pitched a scaled-back plan that prompted a “change of heart,” Supervisor Tim Hubbard said. But the town is forging ahead with plans to invoke eminent domain to evict Craft’D, a downtown bar on the other side of a proposed town square.

“This is where the science center belongs,” Hubbard said in an interview. “I don’t think any of us really wanted to actually have to go through with it,” he said of the eminent domain process.

Plans for the site stalled after the town board scrutinized whether the science center could deliver on ambitious plans to renovate a blighted former Swezey’s department store. Museum officials pushed back and argued they had the resources to execute the reopening and renovation.

Riverhead sought to condemn the building at 111 E. Main St., described in town reports as having “significant damage” from water intrusion, and convey the property to a developer.

The property and the Craft’D building are key parts of Riverhead’s downtown revitalization plans since they flank the east and west sides of the proposed town square. Town officials envision a multimillion-dollar project, which is expected to kick off later this year, that includes public green space and a new playground and amphitheater.

Long Island Science Center board president Larry Oxman said he was “very pleased” with the town’s decision and that the nonprofit would begin the first of two phases of renovations immediately.

Fall opening eyed

Using a $1 million Suffolk County JumpSMART grant, the first phase includes new exterior cladding, structural and flood mitigation and installing exhibits in the main level.

Those projects could set the center up for a fall opening, allowing it to expand programming and book larger school groups, Oxman said. Long Island Science Center currently operates a pop-up at the Tanger Outlets in Riverhead.

A second phase, funded by private donations, fundraising and additional state grants, would add a glass roof, 150-seat planetarium and new entrance on the east side of the building that opens directly to the town square.

Oxman said the new museum will also spotlight scientific achievements and technology developed on Long Island, from the lunar module at Grumman to research on a superconducting maglev train at Brookhaven National Lab.

“Long Island has such a rich history of inventions that many people don’t know,” Oxman said. “This will be under one roof, a place where people can really learn about and be proud of what was created here.”

The town’s eminent domain plan sparked backlash from residents who criticized it as a ploy to build more housing or commercial buildings. An online petition against the plan had nearly 650 signatures.

Cindy Clifford, president of the Heart of Riverhead Civic Association, said it was “inappropriate” for the town to try to disrupt plans for the science center, which she said would be a parallel attraction with the nearby Long Island Aquarium.

“I believe it was the right decision,” she said in an interview. “They recognized that the residents of this town felt there was way more benefit to a science center than there was to yet another apartment building shadowing Main Street.”

Hubbard said the board made the decision after learning more about the science center’s plans, including availability of philanthropic and grant funding. Officials had been concerned that construction would take place over too long of a period. “It would have kept our town square under constant construction, and that’s not what we’re looking to do,” he said. “We’re looking to get this done as quick as we can.”

Restaurant hearing

The town board is proceeding with acquiring the lease of Craft'D after a hearing Wednesday.

Riverhead purchased the Craft’D building in 2021 with plans to demolish the structure and convey the lot to Joe Petrocelli, whose firm was named master developer for the entire town square project in 2022. Petrocelli is planning a hotel at the site.

Residents at Wednesday's hearing criticized the town's use of eminent domain, which is supposed to benefit the public, to convey the property to a private developer.

The town has 90 days to determine whether to move forward with the acquisition, officials said.

Sean Kenna, a part owner of Craft'D, asked the town to delay the proceeding while he attempts to negotiate a deal to move several storefronts away on Main Street. 

"Ninety days is very short," he said. "Things are in the works."

The town is finalizing contract details with Petrocelli, Hubbard said. Riverhead plans to hold a hearing to determine if the developer is "qualified and eligible" by early July before work can begin.

“They have to show they have the ability to do the project," Hubbard said. "There’s no doubt in my mind that they do, but it's a legal process that has to happen."