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Developer Chosen To Build Mixed-Income Housing Project Adjacent To Metro-North Owned Parking Lot In Beacon
The Metro-North Railroad station in Beacon, NY is undergoing a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project, aiming to create housing and mixed-use spaces near the station. This project is part of a broader effort by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to develop areas around train stations to increase accessibility and provide housing, retail, and other amenities.
The Beacon TOD project involves building housing and mixed-use spaces on the north parking lot of the Beacon Metro-North station. The MTA Board has approved a developer, Jonathan Rose Companies, to transform a parking lot adjacent to the Beacon Metro-North Station into a residential development with 265 units of mixed-income housing.
According to its website, it is one of the country’s leading owners of green, affordable and mixed-income communities. Rose has created projects with more than $5 billion of value with a current portfolio of nearly 20,000 apartment homes in 14 states and Washington, D.C.
The project aims to transform underutilized parking areas into vibrant, mixed-use spaces that are easily accessible to the train station. This includes increasing housing options, enhancing walkability, and creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
The project is partly funded through Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Community Program, which provides funding for certified localities to build new homes on state-owned property. More than 300 communities have received Pro-Housing certification, including the City of Beacon. This program also includes a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on State-owned property, including the Beacon project.
The project is expected to address the housing shortage in the region, support Main Street businesses in Beacon, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
The Beacon station is on the Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line and provides direct service to New York City.
Open Space Institute & New York State Office Of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Partner In Minnewaska Expansion
Minnewaska State Park Preserve in New York has been expanded by 291 acres. This addition brings the park’s total size to nearly 24,000 acres, making it the third-largest state park in New York. The expansion, which focuses on the northern Shawangunk Mountains, will help protect vital wildlife habitats and scenic landscapes, while also providing new recreational opportunities and supporting the state’s 30×30 conservation goal. The acquisition was made possible through a partnership between the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Open Space Institute.
“Our State Parks are some of New York’s most-treasured resources, and I’m excited to expand Minnewaska State Park Preserve to better connect future generations with New York’s parklands,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Protecting open space and expanding our parks helps to improve the environment and create much-needed space for outdoor recreation.”
The completed acquisition in the Town of Rochester was made by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation from the Open Space Institute Land Trust, Inc. using the State’s Environmental Protection Fund for a total of $641,000.
Open Space Institute Senior Vice President of Land Dene Lee Hofheinz said, “Over the last four decades, the Open Space Institute has tripled the size of Minnewaska State Park Preserve and made it more welcoming for visitors of all ages and abilities. This latest addition to this magnificent park will continue to ensure the protection of this critical natural resource for people and wildlife.”
The acquisition brings Minnewaska State Park Preserve to 23,974 acres. The park is situated on the Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level. The park features numerous waterfalls, three crystalline sky lakes, dense hardwood forests, sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views, clear streams cut into valleys, 35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of footpaths for biking, walking and hiking.
Garonit Pharmaceutical to Establish Major Manufacturing Facility in the Mid-Hudson Region
Garonit Pharmaceutical, Inc., a global manufacturer of antiseptic products and health care solutions, will establish a state-of-the-art, 200,000-square-foot pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in New Windsor, Orange County.
With a $46.1 million investment, the facility will become the world’s largest chlorhexidine gluconate manufacturing operation, producing antiseptic products essential for surgical disinfection and infection prevention in hospitals worldwide.
New York State is supporting this project with $3.8 million, including up to $3.5 million through the Excelsior Jobs Program and a $300,000 Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council capital grant. The project marks a major milestone in New York’s strategy to grow its life sciences sector and expand domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“New York is leading the way in reshoring pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthening supply chains and creating high-quality jobs — and Garonit Pharmaceutical’s decision to invest in Orange County is proof of that progress,” Governor Hochul said. “This world-class facility will produce essential antiseptic products used in surgical and hospital settings around the globe, further positioning our state as a leader in the life sciences sector. With this investment, we are not only creating good-paying jobs but also reaffirming that New York is where innovation and opportunity meet.”
Paul Adler from Rand Commercial represented the seller in the transaction for the two parcels totaling 15.50 acres on Bruenig Road in New Windsor. Robert Scherreik of Pyramid Brokerage of the Hudson Valley, LLC represented the buyer in the deal.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026 with production operations anticipated to start in January 2027. The project will create an estimated 100 to 150 construction jobs during the build phase, and the 100 full-time pharmaceutical positions will include production, quality assurance, warehouse, R&D, administration and logistics, management, and sales roles.
