FISHKILL – Following the announcement by Governor Hochul and Empire State Development (ESD) of an agreement with a developer to repurpose the closed Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill into a large housing complex, State Senator Rob Rolison (R, Poughkeepsie) and Assemblyman Anil Beephan (R, East Fishkill) have joined with Fishkill Town Supervisor Ozzy Albra in questioning the plan.
Conifer Realty LLC, has been conditionally selected by the state to repurpose the prison and bring 1,300 housing duplexes and triplexes to the prison in a 10-year series of phases with the first phase of 325 housing units being built starting in January 2026. Twenty percent of the total housing will be “permanently affordable” for those who make less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income. The project is expected to employ 200 construction workers.
Senator Rolison acknowledged the need for housing in the area but has remaining questions following “Governor Hochul’s surprise decision to mandate a 1,300-unit rental complex in a residential community.” Rolison said the announcement is secondary to the details. “What is more concerning about her choice is the secretive nature of the announcement and her use of apparently discretionary taxpayer monies to pay for construction. At a time when the MTA is claiming a considerable budgetary shortfall requiring it to refocus on ‘basic services’ only, couldn’t those funds be better spent providing safe and efficient service to the millions of hardworking commuters who use public transportation every day?”
He also asked about why local elected officials and the neighbors surrounding Downstate were not involved in the decision-making process. “Why weren’t local municipal leaders, and the homeowners who will be faced with potential traffic challenges and rising tax rates, consulted in advance? We will be asking these and other pointed questions of Governor Hochul and her housing administrators in the days and weeks to come.”
Assemblyman Beephan was also briefed on the plan a day before the announcement was made. Beephan raised concerns during the briefing, saying, “The primary concern I raised to ESD was the lack of fire services for that parcel. With the decline of volunteerism and new OSHA proposals threatening existing fire services, these issues must be resolved before moving forward with development.”
Working with Town of Fishkill officials, Beephan also said, “We have engaged in several conversations with the Town of Fishkill to ensure this project adheres to the necessary steps for approval. Our office is committed to advocating for the residents, ensuring their interests and concerns are fully represented and addressed throughout the redevelopment process. I look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure this project benefits our community and meets the highest development standards.”
Immediately following Friday’s announcement, Fishkill Supervisor Ozzy Albra told Mid-Hudson News of his objections, saying, ”I found the plans unacceptable regarding the number of housing units being proposed as well as several other issues. The town and the state will discuss the plans further, as this project requires significant changes, further planning, and much more input from the town.” Albra also raised the issue of the major traffic impact that would be created on Red Schoolhouse Road, which is the only road that services the former prison.
