Photographic Documentary: Price of development
To preface:
This project is based around the mismanagement of Riverhead town’s funding and the cost it has on the town become manifest in the form of dead buildings, some of which bearing historical significance, all of which making it clear where priorities lie.
Tenement structure in Riverside left to rot
Fact: For businesses and development in Riverhead Town, $2.7 Million dollars of funding was granted to exempt said businesses and developers of property taxes. These $2.7 Million dollars were taken from local school funding.
“Sound Investments pt 1”
Dealerships pt 1
Dealerships pt 2
“Sound investments pt 2”
Fact: Riverhead Town offered one local business “Somewhere in the ballpark of $8-9 Million for the building” to push forward the town’s town hall project on Main Street. For this project, NYS gave the town of Riverhead $10 Million dollars in a grant.
Last remaining original Riverhead power plant, historical site set to be demolished
Apartments in polish town left to decay
Building in polish town, receiving some construction work
Fact: In 2021, Riverhead’s recreation department had a total $121,545 for funding. Renewal projects for the department’s parks exceeds this in most cases.
Unleased building in polish town pt 1
Unleased building in polish town pt 2
New apartments pt 2
New apartments pt 1
Fact: The largest attraction in Riverhead Town, Long Island Aquarium, is exempt $1Million dollars in property taxes a year. It has been since 1999 and will be until 2031.
“Old investments”
Hello David, I really like what you’re doing with your project because it really hits close to home for me. living in Flanders all my life and going to school in the riverhead school district, I’ve been driving past many of these sights for years, and it’s incredible how long some of these building especially the ones in riverside have laid abandoned. I’m glad your bringing attention to this issue of vacant lots in the riverhead, because so many small businesses open and close in the town and many of these places stay vacant for years, places like Spicy’s I worry are going to sit abandoned for ages if the town doesn’t change some policies.