POUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie Common Council has approved the creation of a Waterfront Site Task Force to develop the 13 acre riverfront parcel at the city’s southernmost border.
The property is currently fenced off after remediation occurred because the land was deemed a Brownfield site. Bonura had proposed developing the parcel to be called the Poughkeepsie Landing.
After months of contention between the council and Bonura, the council opted to take the parcel back, resulting in Bonura suing the city for $2.5 million in damages.
The property is located in the second ward, represented by Councilman Evan Menist, who proposed the creation of the task force to research short and long-term improvements for the property with a focus on immediate opportunities for interim development of the space. Menist says the goal is to make the waterfront lot accessible for everyone, noting that nothing has occurred at the site since 2001.
“That site hasn’t changed in 20 years, but the entire city around it has, the entire Hudson Valley around it has. In those 20 years, we have seen an incredible amount of development on waterfronts throughout the Hudson Valley and an incredible amount of development on the Poughkeepsie waterfront.
Councilman Chris Petsas said he would have supported the measure if it were to address all city parks.
“Every city park in Poughkeepsie, not just the southern waterfront, needs urgent attention, needs renovation, needs remodeling,” he said.
Councilman Matt McNamara criticized the task force plan. “This is very disrespectful to the developers” to be having a discussion about the property while it is in litigation. He also noted that the property needs to be developed to reduce the burden on taxpayers in the city.
The task force will be comprised of 11 members, including two council members. Additionally, one member of the Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC) will be placed on the task force by the mayor and a second WAC member will be selected by Council Chair Sarah Salem. One member from the city’s IDA will be selected and six residents will be placed on the task force. Four will be selected by Salem and two will be named by Mayor Rolison.
Interested individuals seeking appointment need to submit a cover letter and resume to the Common Council by emailing ssalem@cityofpoughkeepsie.com. The application deadline is March 20.
The Southern Waterfront Site Redevelopment Task Force will investigate and report on the options for the redevelopment of the waterfront land that was formerly the site of the DeLaval Separator Company and is now vacant. It will meet over a three-month period to hear from potential developers and redevelopment experts.
For any further information on the task force, contact Sarah Salem at ssalem@cityofpoughkeepsie.com.
