POUGHKEEPSIE – A group of protesters stood in the rain in front of the Changepoint Theater in Poughkeepsie shortly before Mayor Rob Rolison was set to give his State of the City address on Thursday. The group of 10 held signs and vocally called for the prevention of developing Wheaton Park and the Pelton Manor on North Clover Street.
The protesters were left standing in the rain when they were informed that the city and Pelton Partners closed on the sale of Wheaton Park on Tuesday. The developers paid $625,000 for the property. The agreement calls for $25,000 of the money to be earmarked for city parks and recreation.
Several years ago, local businessmen Wayne Nussbickel and Steve Tinkleman created Pelton Partners LLC to purchase the property at 36 North Clover Street from the city. The men originally sought to restore the Pelton Manor and build housing units around the manor. The city agreed to sell the property for $600,000.
After years of delays, the plan was endorsed by officials at the state, county, and city governments. The only roadblock was provided by the city’s Historic District & Landmark Preservation Committee (HDLPC), who opposed the submitted plans.
Attorney Ken Stenger represents Pelton Partners and told Mid-Hudson News that his clients have repeatedly sought to appease the concerns of the HDLPC. but they were turned away. The developers then filed a lawsuit to determine if the HDLPC actually has the authority to stop the project. “Our most recent revision calls for a multi-purpose arts center to be housed in the Pelton Manor, after refurbishing. The additional housing structures would proceed as planned,” said Stenger. The lawsuit against the HDLPC is undecided and Stenger is optimistic that his clients will prevail. “The last presentation we gave to the HDLPC included the art center and the reception was nothing short of hostile,” Stenger said.
The attorney said that HDLPC Vice-chair Arthur Rollin and member Antonia “Toni” Mauro were extremely abrasive during the most recent meeting between his clients and the committee. “The only people standing between an arts center at the site are the members of the HDLPC,” Stenger said. “There is substantial support for the project, including that of the city’s arts commission, and the arts center is being touted as yet another destination to bring people to Poughkeepsie,” the litigator said, adding “Regardless of the court’s decision, my clients are going to proceed with their plan to create an arts center to attract visitors to Poughkeepsie, which brings in revenue.”
