NEWBURGH – A vacant green lot adjacent to the Ritz Theatre on Broadway
and Liberty Street in the Newburgh was the site of a groundbreaking ceremony
Monday for “Safe Harbors Green,” the latest project of the
non-profit housing and arts redevelopment organization Safe Harbors of
the Hudson.
Safe Harbors purchased the lot less than a year ago, and closed on the
property in early June 2015.
Ceremonial groundbreaking for new park
“We really feel that it’s going to anchor the downtown and
create a city center here, which is kind of lacking right now,”
said Lisa Silverstone, executive director of Safe Harbors. “We just
think it will give a wonderful sense of hope and renewal and revitalization
here in downtown.”
She said that organizers envision everybody in the city using the park,
be it to enjoy a cup of coffee under a shaded tree on a bench, or to participate
in a stage performance, a festival or a market here.
“Newburgh is rising, the Phoenix is coming up out of the ashes,”
said Newburgh Mayor Judy Kennedy. “We’re leaving that period
in our history that has just been such a negative thing. This is so positive
and we keep adding more positive energy and more good ideas.”
State Senator William Larkin said this is a community project that everyone
can support, regardless of race or ethnicity, because we are all Americans.
The project is expected to be completed in June, although a ribbon-cutting
for the green is planned for September. This is when people will be able
to start utilizing the park, as the plantings, trees and grass will have
had time to establish themselves.
A host of city and state officials, along with community groups and companies
that will be involved in creating the park, were in attendance.
