Zip Line Developer Fires Back At Downtown Business Owners

After downtown business owners blasted a plan for a zip line in downtown Riverhead by the Peconic riverfront, the owner of the company fired back on Monday.

John Finnegan of Urban Jungle Zip Lines presented his proposal to the Riverhead town board last week. Business owners stood at the podium and spoke out against the plan, citing safety, security, aesthetic, and other concerns. Some said while they thought a zip line was a good idea, they felt the location was not ideal.

On Monday, Finnegan said he still plans to move forward with the project, although it is unlikely to be completed for the 2013 season. "I think it's a great location and I'd like to pursue it," he said.

Finnegan said he spent the weekend thinking about the negative response he received from the downtown business community -- and fired back with some concerns of his own.

"I thought that a clean and green, and temporary, attraction by the riverfront would be appreciated and welcome as a great way to build awareness of the Peconic River and its natural beauty," Finnegan said. "I thought thought that the businesses downtown would appreciate the additional foot traffic and revenue the attraction could bring."

In addition, Finnegan said he thought that downtown business and the parking district "in particular, would appreciate the guaranteed revenue generated by the licensing fee. It's great that the Farmers' Market and Car Show, among other events, don't have to pay anything to use the parking lots but I am not looking for a free ride."

Business owner Ray Pickersgill helped him to appreciate the importance of parking,  Finnegan said. Dee Muma, owner of the Dark Horse Restaurant, helped him to "appreciate the beauty of the riverfront, the investment made, and the potential it represents for this town," Finnegan added. 

"Ray Dickhoff helped me to appreciate how important it is to to work with the people of this town and to work towards becoming a part of the events happening on the river, not displacing them."

And, he added, Anthony Coates helped him see that the political process is key.

But, Finnegan said in his opinion, the reality is that the area behind downtown businesses currently sports "boarded up windows, less than meticulous landscaping, and thousands of square feet of empty stores. This is what it looks like behind some of the businesses on Main Street."

A zip line attraction, Finnegan said, "can help build awareness of the beauty of the Peconic.  I think the problem might be that it may also build awareness of the dreadful conditions behind the businesses that back up to the river. I don't understand why it looks like this if everybody cares so much."

Finnegan said he was happy to listen to the concerns of business owners regarding his plan for their "backyard. However, based on what it looks like back there, I don't know how much any of us should value their opinions on this matter."