High interest in the future of Newburgh’s past
NEWBURGH – City officials invited local stakeholders to come organize and brainstorm with one another Wednesday evening regarding the proposed multi-million dollar revitalizations of Newburgh properties including the Dutch Reformed Church, City Club and 2 Montgomery Street.
Residents formed various groups to discuss issues of development, workforce, cost of living and the efficacy of committing an estimated $3 million to the projects.
Although the forum was an exercise in community cooperation, resident were split between the perspectives of seeing these projects as a way to encourage economic development in an area where the median income does not sustain the cost of living for many residents and not wanting to use more tax revenue for a project in a city that has a sizable portion of the residency not paying into the tax base.
Resident and local business owner Fred Visconti said although he is opposed to the project, it is on the grounds of potential PILOT agreements that would occur between the city and developers, leaving what he said is an even larger deficit in tax revenue within a city that already has such a deficit. He said his main concern is seeing the city in good economic health once more.
Dutch Reformed Church
“I want to see the City of Newburgh thrive,” said Visconti. “I want to see the city government have a robust budget so they can do a good job in the city, so that they can fix their infrastructure and employ great people so that we can make a better city.”
Despite the trajectories for achieving such economic health being different, it’s something residents on both sides of the issue agree upon, finding a way to create a climate where residents have jobs, can pay taxes and can afford their living expenses.
Mayor Judy Kennedy said that’s exactly why forums, like Wednesday evening’s, are so important.
“It’s a good thing because we’ve got a community that is now engaged and passionate, and I think that’s important for any movement going forward,” said Kennedy.
Feedback from the various groups at the forum will still have to be analyzed and the effort to come to a municipal/ community agreement on these projects will continue.
