NEWBURGH – The community
in Newburgh is mixed over whether the city should sign a deal with New
York City developer Alembic to restore the Dutch Reform Church, the City
Club and nearby property, possibly for housing.
Mayor Torrance Harvey led a delegation of Newburgh officials to tour Alembic
projects in the Bronx and Harlem on Friday and he said Sunday night he
was impressed with the work the company has performed including converting
a vacant school building into apartments and space for a Boys and Girls
Club.
But, Harvey is still non-committal about the potential of allowing Alembic
to work on the Newburgh projects.
“It is something that is of great contention in our community; it
is something that people are on both sides of this thing. The bottom line
is if the numbers make sense, if there is going to be tax rateables to
the city to help us generate revenue and there is going to be housing
for everyone, that is what I support,” Harvey said.
While Newburgh continues to weigh whether or not to allow Alembic to
work in the city, across the Hudson River, in the twin city of Beacon,
Alembic is nearing completion on a housing project.
