Downtown Business Owners Blast Zip Line Plan

Downtown Riverhead business owners railed against a proposal for a new zip line that would be located by the Peconic Riverfront -- leaving the plan possibly dead in the water.

John Finnegan of Urban Jungle Zip Lines pitched his proposal to the Riverhead town board Thursday.

Councilman George Gabrielsen prefaced the discussion by saying he wanted to set the record straight.

"There have been a lot of misconceptions," he said. "They really aren't true."

Rumors had been swirling of "back door deals" between Finnegan and the town after media reports of the zip line circulated before the issue had even been discussed in a public session before the town board.

Gabrielsen said Finnegan had come to him a year before with the idea, but hadn't come back again with renewed interest until two weeks ago. "There are no deals going on," he said.

Councilwoman Jodi Giglio said as a business owner, her vote would be influenced by her Main Street building -- Giglio is a principal in the Summerwind project -- and asked to be recused.

The lengthy discussion began with the board vetting the proposal. 

As a boy, Finnnegan said he spent summers in Jamesport, when Riverhead was a destination -- and his goal with the zip line was to bring families back downtown, to frequent local  businesses.

The new zip line, he said, if constructed, would have a launch tower located in the grassy area opposite the Riverside McDonald's, immediately west of the gazebo.  The other tower would be located in the parking area behind Main Street businesses.

The tower would be 75 feet in height, with the launch at 66 feet. The zip line would send riders across the Peconic River and back, he said.

Councilman John Dunleavy said the ride might disturb those sitting outside and enjoying their lunch by the river.

The zip line, Finnegan said, is not a loud ride. "It's not the L train," he said. "There are no engines." And, with the plan only for about 100 rides a day, "there won't be a lot going on overhead."

The zip line, Finnegan said, would be an attraction for many. "They'd be more excited and curious than offended by it."

The ride would be a family-oriented attraction, for "70 pound fifth graders and their 270 pound grandfathers," he said.

Dunleavy asked why the zip line should be brought to an area where parking was already an issue and said Enterprise Park at Calverton would be a better location, near the ballfields, and skydiving operation.

Storefronts downtown, Finnegan said, "are empty, empty, empty." The zip line would bring visitors downtown.

Gabrielsen said the goal was to spark foot traffic and generate business on Main Street. "Foot traffic is so important to revitalization," he said.

The zip line would be temporary and seasonal, Finnegan said, operating seven days a week through Labor Day, and on weekends through the pumpkin picking season.

The idea would be to start out with a one year lease, Deputy Town Attorney Ann Marie Prudenti said.

Prudenti said she believed a set fee should be established, that Finnegan would pay to the town; a portion would go back to the town's parking district. "I'm not in favor of a profit share," she said. "This is a cash business. I don’t want to be responsible for checking the books and getting an accurate percentage. It's more prudent to have a set, guaranteed fee."

"We negotiated a figure that seemed fair to everyone," Finnegan said.

Dunleavy and Councilman Jim Wooten both countered that the proposal had never been discussed with them or in a public session.

Prudenti said the number agreed upon was $35,000 to $40,000 for the first year, and $40,000 to $45,000 for the second year, if the lease was renewed.

The board discussed the need for a discussion of the engineering involved, with an eye toward safety.

When asked about parking concerns, Finnegan said visitors would not be staying for lengthy periods; the ride is only 30 seconds long, he said. The goal, he added, was to make Riverhead a destination, rather than having visitors head to Greenport or Westhampton Beach.

Signage would be placed, urging visitors to utilize other parking areas in other parts of town. "I also want to encourage boat traffic," he said. 

Prudenti reminded the the project would need a green light from the  New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation." 

Wooten asked if Grangebel Park had been considered.

After the board's input, business owners stepped up the podium to blast the idea.
Ray Dickhoff, the developer behind the Summerwind project, said he did not believe anyone would be allowed to enjoy the waterfront for picnicking within the guide wires set off to delineate the 40 foot square zip line area.

He also asked if the zip line would be covered with billboards, as is the case with many other such rides around the United States; Finnegan said no signage was planned.

Dickhoff also reminded that in the proposed zone, nothing can be constructed over 60 feet; Prudenti said she would check and confirm if the height restriction would be applicable to the towers.

Security around the 40 by 40 foot area was another prime concern, Dickhoff said, and asked if fencing would be set up around the ride.

No access to the towers would be allowed at night, Dickhoff said. The structure would be wrapped in fabric to prevent individuals from trying to climb up; a locked gate would be placed in front of the stairwell. No fencing would be set up, he said.

Dunleavy said he was fearful people walking near the guide wires could trip and be injured; Finnegan said they would be thick and padded cables, well-marked to prevent injuries.

Dickhoff asked if "cattle lines" would be set up to control crowds; Finnegan said with the number of riders expected, they wouldn't be necessary.

When asked where he would store his harnesses, helmets and other equipment, Finnegan siad he might possibly rent retail space downtown.

Safety was a critical concern; Finnegan said all riders would be instructed on safety procedures. Dickhoff asked where that instruction would take place and said he doubted it could happen within the 40 by 40 foot space. 

Dickhoff also asked about lights and electricity. The only electricity, Finnegan said, would be needed for operating a computer or a credit card machine; no lights except safety lights would be needed, he said. He added every employee would be trained in first aid and CPR.

"I'm against it," Dickhoff said. 

His voice rising, Dickhoff asked if anyone had consulted the East End Arts Council. "They have a summer concert series," he said. "Is it canceled?"

Finnegan said the ride would be 30 feet in the air and would not be in the way of concert-goers.

"There will be people screaming over their heads," Dickhoff said.

Other riverfront events that would be "interrupted by the ride," Dickhoff said, included the snapper fishing tournament, antique car shows, antique shows, the Blues Festival, and the fireworks. "The bandstand goes right where the tower would go -- and the Business Improvement District just spent $20,000 on it," he said. 

The riverfront, he said, should be utilized for riverfront-related activities. And, he added, just two weeks ago, the board agreed to name the road near the river to "Heidi Behr Way," to honor the EMT who lost her life in a tragic ambulance accident -- the area, he said, was supposed to be a place for remembrance.

Dee Muma, owner of the Dark Horse Restaurant, said she chose her eatery's location because of the historic nature of the area. "We've spent over $2 million to improve the quality of the riverfront, for the enjoyment of nature. To do this would be ruining it permanently -- like putting a cheap carnival on the edge of the river."

Muma said she was not against zip line but opposed the location.

Questions of liability were also discussed.

Ray Pickersgill, owner of the Robert James Salon and Spa, said he did not believe the zip line worked aesthetically by the riverfront. "I'm not against it, but I think siting it somewhere else would be much better. Businesses on the waterfront don't want it here."

Cody's co-owner Vic Prusinowski reminded Finnegan that any structure standing for over 180 days is considered permanent. He said the zip line would probably "benefit" his business, with patrons watching from his deck outside.

"I have an open mind," he said. "I'm not saying I don't want it." But, he added, many issues, including safety and security, need to be vetted.

Anthony Coates, who hopes to run for town board in the next election, said with all the issues still to be resolved, including a public hearing, engineering and safety concerns, and required permits, "For the most part, I would think this transaction is over for 2013," he said.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter said the earliest the ride could possibly open would be July, because of the necessary public hearing and other steps that still need to be taken.

Coates reminded that Finnegan said he had never personally done another zip line project before and said he also felt $35,000 did not justify the possible costs and liability concerns.

"This is the wrong idea, at the wrong place, at the wrong time," Coates said.

He said no postcard of a waterfront community has "a freewheeling, helmeted zip liner" depicted.

And, he said, a water ski park was coming to town.

"We've spent too much time and come too far to develop our waterfront," he said.

Mason Haas, town assessor and representing the East Creek Advisory Committee, advocated for discussing docking opportunities downtown. Boaters, he said, could generate business and foot traffic.

Walter ended the discussion and said Finnegan should discuss the proposal further with Prudenti and others. "You might not be interested anymore," he said.

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