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Rockland’s Infrastructure Projects Get A Boost From State Aid; County Gets Tourism Dollars; Village of Haverstraw Scores $10 Million For Chair Factory
Nearly 400 projects across the state have been awarded over $300 million in funding through the various state agency programs within the annual Regional Council initiative and Consolidated Funding Application, which are redesigned to help catalyze economic growth, jump-start housing growth, and advance regionally designed strategic plans, while addressing state priorities.
The Mid-Hudson Region was awarded more than $53.1 million to support 53 projects, with Rockland County, and its towns and villages receiving over $14 million.
The big winner in Rockland County is the Village of Haverstraw, also the recipient of the largest grant statewide. The Village of Haverstraw was awarded $10 million for its Chair Factory project. The award is to support a public/private partnership for redevelopment of a shovel-ready project to transform a derelict industrial site into a community anchor. The project will complete public infrastructure including roads, utilities, and water systems to enable the construction of 450 units of mixed-use and residential housing. By redeveloping the long-vacant waterfront parcel, the project will catalyze economic revitalization, improve public access to the waterfront, and serve as a placemaking anchor for the downtown area.
The Chair Factory development was plagued for several years with an inability to secure a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement from the Town of Haverstraw. Late last year, Empire State Development (ESD), an economic development arm of New York State, took steps to acquire the property from the Village and will issue a ground lease to the development team, clearing the path for the developer and the IDA to implement a PILOT with or without the Town of Haverstraw’s participation.
“The Chair Factory project is ready to move forward,” Village of Haverstraw Mayor Michael Kohut told RCBJ last month. “The state is now the ‘owner’ and it can do what it wants. The Town of Haverstraw can no longer hold up the project.”
Other awards include:
Clarkstown – $1,590,933
The Town of Clarkstown will install approximately 4,000 linear feet of sidewalks on Prospect and Church Streets connecting the residential neighborhoods on either side of the Main Street corridor with the downtown Nanuet business district and the commuter rail station. This project is a key component of the town’s new Transit Oriented Development zoning district, which allows for the construction of 750 residential units within walking distance from the commuter train station and downtown hamlet center.
Ramapo – Climate Smart Parks – $418,864
The Town of Ramapo will install permanent shade structures over existing playground and recreational areas in the town’s parks. These recreational areas currently see significantly reduced usage during summer months due to high temperatures and lack of sun protection,
creating accessibility and safety concerns especially for young children and families.
Village of Nyack – $106,703
The Village of Nyack will design improvements to the deteriorated banks of the inlet that borders Memorial Park and the Village Marina, advancing the priorities of its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. This project will also install a pervious surface walkway on the top of the marina-side bank that will connect to an existing viewing platform. This restoration project will mitigate the impact of flooding from storm events and enhance access to the Village’s Hudson River waterfront.
Rockland County Tourism – Working Capital – $123,750
Rockland county will present a special event, Global Rhythms: Rockland Summer Festival a dynamic, county-wide celebration timed with the FIFA World Cup that will showcase the region’s cultural diversity, local talent, and scenic beauty through live music, international cuisine, historical exhibits, family activities, and immersive fan experiences, attracting visitors from across the tri-state area and beyond.
Town of Ramapo – Ramapo Ready – $100,000
The Town of Ramapo’s “Ramapo Ready” initiative will transform a 75+ acre underutilized site into a vibrant, mixed-use “Live, Work, & Play” district, fostering economic growth and creating a more connected community. This project will address the region’s housing needs, support local businesses, and create a sustainable and thriving environment for generations.
Village of New Square – $2,000,000
The Village of New Square will use $2,000,000 in NYS CDBG funds for Phase II of a drainage system improvements project.
“I remain grateful for everyone involved in advancing the work of the Regional Economic Development Councils. Their dedication to this ongoing public-private effort has had a transformational impact in every corner of the state,” Governor Hochul said. “The focused investments laid out in the locally designed plans will create investment opportunities that will help to build an enduring and successful future for all New Yorkers.”
Other counties in the Hudson Valley also received funding: Orange County, $14.5 million; Westchester, $8.95 million; Ulster, $8 million; Sullivan, $3.6 million; Dutchess, $2.96 million.
