GOSHEN – Merlin Entertainments, the company that wants to build a Legoland amusement park in the Town of Goshen, announced on Wednesday that it would seek a 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes plan instead of its originally sought 30-year arrangement.
The reduced PILOT was recommended by the Orange County Industrial Development
Agency and evaluated in the IDA’s independent KPMG study. That study
said the local governmental entities would earn more with the lesser PILOT.
“While we believe our initial proposal of a 30-year PILOT would have generated tremendous economic benefits to the Town of Goshen, the Goshen School District and Orange County, we respect public feedback and are modifying our request to a 20-year agreement,” said Phil Royle, Legoland’s local representative.
“Our analysis indicated that a 20-year PILOT would be best for our community. And we appreciate that Merlin has embraced this new scenario,” said IDA Chief Operating Officer Laurie Villasuso.
Earlier this week, Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus told Mid-Hudson News that he supports the 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes plan.
The project still requires local approvals from Town of Goshen officials.
Opponents of the project believe it will permanently alter the rural nature of the town and village, and negatively impact traffic and the environment.
