City receives two plans to develop DeLaval waterfront; both include hotels and parks

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The remediated parcel at the former site of DeLaval. 2020 MHNN file photo.

POUGHKEEPSIE – Two developers have expressed an interest in developing the southern Poughkeepsie waterfront after the city extended the deadline for interested parties to apply.  The latest step in the saga that has become a political debate for more than a decade has Joe Bonura Jr., under Southern Waterfront Development, LLC, and Bernard “Berry” Kohn of Chai Developers, LLC, submitting overviews of proposals.

Bonura spent several years attempting to develop the last remaining waterfront parcel in the city but became the victim of political battles between various members of the common council.  Bonura is a stakeholder in Bonura Hospitality Group which developed Shadows and Grandview adjacent to the DeLaval site and owned the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel for years until a recent sale.

Bonura had proposed developing the DeLaval site after he remediated the property in 2009 in an agreement with the city.  He eventually sued the city over the stalled project.  In July 2022, the city settled with Bonura, paying him $1 million to walk away from his “Poughkeepsie Landing” project.

Bonura’s newly submitted plan is very similar to his original Poughkeepsie Landing plan.

Kohn meanwhile, has slowly been purchasing and re-developing major properties in the city including a large portion of Market Street, the Italian Center, and One Civic Center Plaza, and has been responsible for the restoration of a portion of Union Street.  Kohn’s proposed waterfront development plan calls for the creation of a city-owned park that would span the full length of the western edge and provide a paved pathway for pedestrian access along the riverfront portion of the site. The applicant outlined a number of “bump-out” locations along the promenade to accommodate a wide range of public uses along with the construction of a dock suitable for motorized and non-motorized watercraft accessible to the public.

Bonura’s proposal divides the site into two parcels allowing for both a dedicated riverfront park space and an inland commercial development. The hallmark feature of this project would be a riverfront promenade that would include a public walkway spanning the entire waterfront portion of the site. In addition to providing north-south pedestrian access to the buildings and site amenities, the promenade would have lighting, benches, and landscaped areas available for leisure and recreation. Additional public space also would include an amphitheater along the southern end of the site, public parking, and a kayak/canoe launch adjacent to a large public boat dock.

Both proposals and additional information can be found here.

Kohn’s plan calls for a 12-story hotel as part of the project.

“We are grateful to the developers who have stepped up and have expressed interest in this key project,” said Mayor Marc Nelson. “This site has been dormant for far too long and is an essential parcel to create a seamless waterfront that connects destinations along the city’s Hudson shore.” 

The City is accepting public comments on the two proposals for 30 days, beginning on May 8, 2023.   Public comments about the proposals must be sent by June 7 to development@cityofpoughkeepsie.com.  

 

 

 

 




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