GOSHEN – Orange County legislators took no action during their monthly meeting on Thursday to block reconstruction of the county government center in Goshen. A minority of lawmakers would rather see the building designed by architect Paul Rudolph preserved rather than see a portion demolished with a new section constructed in its place.
There was a last minute effort by some legislators to terminate the contact with the project architect, but Chairman Stephen Brescia said that was inappropriate.
“There was a consent resolution to disband the contact with Clark Patterson Lee and it was a last minute consent resolution. We hadn’t discussed it before,” Brescia said. “If they want to talk about it in committee, that’s fine, but I think to bring it to the floor at the minute hour like this is irresponsible.”
Brescia expects the reconstruction of the building to proceed.
“We are moving ahead and we are ready to go. Demolition is going to start and reconstruction.”
Opponents to the rebuild support a proposal by New York City developer Gene Kaufman to restore the building to its original condition and create artist space and residences.
On Wednesday, attorney Michael Sussman said he would consider a legal proceeding of the legislature took the action it did yesterday.
