County Executive Steve Levy, Town Supervisor Sean Walter, town councilmen and business investors met at the site of the Summerwind Square apartment complex Thursday afternoon to announce the beginning of construction on the 8,600 square-foot building.

The four-story apartment complex will feature 52 apartments and commercial space on the first floor for restaurants or other storefronts.

Levy, an eight-year county executive who did not run for re-election this year, praised the project as one examples of a successful workforce housing plan.

"It has been workforce housing that has been the cornerstone of revitalizing many of our downtowns, from Bay Shore to Patchogue and now here in Riverhead," Levy said. "We know that by constructing these workforce housing units we are bringing patrons to the downtown community."

Suffolk County invested $1.9 million to purchase the land on Peconic Avenue and an additional $300,000 for infrastructure improvements, Levy said.

At the press conference, Walter thanked Levy for his help with the project.

"At every opportunity that we needed help on this project in my two years as supervisor I was able to pick up the phone and speak with this county executive," Walter said. "Without his help and the help of his staff, this would not have been a reality."

Giglio said the project should bring about 100 construction workers to the site every day for the roughly 10-month-long construction period at the site. Construction on the building is set to resume next week. 

Demolition for construction on the plot of land began in early November.