Town Obtains Armory Building, Will Move Police and Justice Courts

The Town of Riverhead now owns the vacant armory building on Route 58 after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law Wednesday night giving the property to the town, according to a statement from the town.

Supervisor Sean Walter said the building, which was previously a National Guard training and storage ground before being abandoned several years ago, will be repurposed into a new home for the Riverhead Police Department and Justice Courts.

"We could not be happier that this valuable asset will now directly benefit the people of Riverhead,” Walter said in a statement. "The armory will allow us to better serve our residents and will provide much-needed ‘budgetary breathing room’ as we plan Riverhead’s future.”

The 5.7 acre plot was originally owned by the town, until it was sold to the state in 1953 for $500. The agreement stated the land could return to the town if it ever stopped being used as an armory. 

The law to give the armory back to Riverhead was signed by Gov. Cuomo after bills sponsored by State Sen. Ken LaValle, R-Port Jefferson, and Assemblyman Dan Losquadro, R-Shoreham, .