Table of Contents
Cover Story:
Putting All The Pieces Together
County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef keeps Rockland in his sights
as he looks ahead to the Governor's race.
Feature Story:
Everybody's Going Downtown
What four of the county's villages are doing to encourage economic
development.
Feature Story:
The Expo's Coming!
Annual Business-to-Business event partners RBA with Mahwah Regional
Chamber of Commerce.
DEPARTMENTS:
Economics Roundup
• What's Your Investment Behavior?
• Taxes and Long-Term Care Insurance
Business Roundup
• HVCFI Accepting Applicants
• The Fine Art of Advertising
Retail Round-Up
• It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
• New in Town
Ask the Expert
• Human Resources
• Legal Matters
• Workplace Hotline
• Information Technology
Invest in Your Community
• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• JCC-Y of Rockland's Capital Campaign
• Other News
Odds & Ends
• From The Publishers
• PR Patter
• Reaching Out to Small Business
• Rockland Joins the Empire
• Big News for Local Small Businesses
Dedicated Section:
Rockland Business Association:
The President’s Desk
Empire Zone designation, grant programs drive new opportunities for
business.
The Investor Hotline
Avoid these three common mistakes
RBA Happenings
• Other News
• Committee and Council Info
• Calendar of Events
• New Members
Everybody’s
Going
Downtown
What four of the county’s
villages
are
doing
to encourage
economic
development
By Tim Toterhi
For years, Rockland’s downtowns were on the downside of development. Customers fled their main streets for the malls and other commercial corridors; revitalization efforts stalled as politicians looked elsewhere; residents gave up on their own village centers for opportunities in nearby counties. Not any more.
Encouraging downtown development is top of the list for many—if not most—county communities, but especially in New City, Spring Valley, Suffern and Haverstraw. There are residential condos going up in Suffern, and an ambitious $200 million revitalization of downtown Spring Valley in the works. Haverstraw is piggybacking its efforts to spruce up the downtown on the success of a mammoth residential development on the waterfront, while New City, home to both the town and county seat, has finally seen a way to manage traffic and parking, while making the county seat attractive to all.
Harboring Success in Haverstraw
According to Mayor Bud Wassmer, the area’s flagship development
project, Harbors at Haverstraw is enjoying some early success with
sales of phase one units exceeding all expectations. The Harbors,
a $500 million riverfront redevelopment project, will ultimately
feature 850 luxury condo and townhouse units ranging from studios
to spacious three bedrooms. The project is touted as the springboard
for the village’s revitalization efforts.
“There is a strong commercial buzz in Haverstraw. People are reacting to the progress we’ve made and want to
be a part of it.”
Downtown Coordinator Jeanne Struck
Over 200 families are already enjoying the complex’s lavish amenities, which include a 16,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, finely appointed spa, state-of-the-art gymnasium, and a 28 stadium-style seat theater. A full-time recreation staff positioned to answer questions, spark resident interaction, and foster a sense of community, seamlessly compliments these features. An additional 250 units will be sold as part of the phase one operation with the balance to be developed and offered in two phases stretching a ten-year period.
“Perhaps the Harbor’s most impressive feature is the 1.5 mile promenade along the river,” says Wassmer. “It really showcases Haverstraw’s natural beauty.” The area also features a successful ferry service to Westchester with an additional line to Yonkers and lower NYC planned for the spring of 2007.
Wassmer is quick to note that Harbors is not the only project under way in Haverstraw. The village is actively implementing an aggressive downtown façade program, with 45 projects already complete in the central business district. They also recently received an $875,000 streetscape grant from the DOT, which will help spark additional improvements.
“People are pleased with our progress,” says Wassmer, “Improving our parks, building a ball field, and offering an eclectic alternative to the mini mall mainstream will help drive a sense of community. Our goal is to revitalize our village, attract new business, and create an environment where people will come for a day or a lifetime.”
Downtown Coordinator, Jeanne Struck agrees, noting that the improvement projects have sparked increased interest from small business owners. “There is a strong commercial buzz in Haverstraw. People are reacting to the progress we’ve made and want to be a part of it.”
What else is happening in Haverstraw?
One of the most ambitious—and entertaining—projects
on the drawing board is Mayor Wassmer’s vision for an art
museum, to be constructed under the redoubt at the foot of Main
Street. Wassmer sees a thriving center for pop art here, and notes
that with access from New York City by ferry would help to make
Haverstraw a destination for tourists. Stay tuned!
Steady Development In Suffern
According the Mayor, John Keegan, Suffern is awash in development
programs including a new 56-unit condo project on Cross Street
and an 80-unit addition to the senior center on Lafayette Avenue.
Many other projects have been requested and are currently in
the approval or planning stages. These include 28 upscale homes
on the seven acre property near Memorial Drive, a new office
park west of Lafayette, and a 110-unit condo project on Orange
Avenue complete with a two level parking garage and first floor
retail space. “We have a nice pipeline of manageable projects
that will make a marked difference to our community,” says
Keegan.
“We have a nice pipeline of manageable projects that will make a marked
difference to our community”
Suffern Mayor John Keegan
Keegan notes the thoughtfulness behind these initiatives, as many development projects are replacing former eyesores. “The business community is reacting positively to the changes. Clean streets, well-maintained parks, and a thriving community center help attract up-scale retailers and enhance the appeal of our Main Street shops.” Keegan also credits the area’s Chamber of Commerce for increasing traffic. “They employ the right blend of advertising and promotional events to peak resident interest.” The most recent Suffern Street Fair drew an impressive 20,000 attendees.
The mayor is also working to cement relationships with larger local companies such as Avon. “We are glad they are here. They employ our residents, provide a healthy tax base, and extend some value-added courtesies such as allowing senior citizen parking on their site.”
Keegan, a 43-year resident of Suffern, is dedicated to maintaining a balance in his hometown. “We are a magnet for people who want a taste of country living within arms reach of the city. It’s important to me that I help to keep its historical integrity while ensuring we are positioned for future success.” Thus, while actively courting the latest retailers, Keegan also devotes time to issues like securing a spot on the historical register for The Lafayette, Suffern’s landmark 900-seat theater.
“I’m always asking residents for their thoughts on how we can make our home a better place. Recently a new resident approached me and said, ‘I love this place. I like what you’re doing. And I want to shake your hand.’ I see a bright future for Suffern and it’s moments like those that make me proud to be of service to my community.”
A Thoughtful Plan for New City
The Economic Development Strategy group formed by Clarkstown Supervisor
Alex Gromack and chaired by Councilwoman Catherine Nowicki recently
reached a major milestone when they received a series of bids
from key development consultants for the economic revitalization
of the area. According to Gromack, this joint effort along with
the New City Visioning Project, highlights a willingness and
ability for leaders to come together and create a workable improvement
strategy that meets the needs of all concerned. “We are
working to ensure voices are heard,” says Gromack, noting
that leaders have and will continue to meet with residents, community
groups, and existing and potential business stakeholders. “Our
goal is to preserve and improve our community.”
Of all the hamlets, New City faces the most complicated redevelopment process, due in part to the traffic and parking issues that currently plague the downtown area. Limited street parking hampers retail shopping and impedes resident activity at municipal and city buildings. “Our goal is to make New City more pedestrian friendly and secure an infrastructure that will allow our businesses to thrive and our residents to take advantage of all the downtown has to offer,” says Gromack.
“Our goal is to make New City more pedestrian friendly and secure an infrastructure that will allow our businesses to thrive and our residents to take advantage of all the downtown has to offer.”
Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack
Scott Milich, who is a partner in New City’s Pasta Cucina, is optimistic about the progress to come, but also stresses the need for continued dialogue with stakeholders. “We must continue to involve the public and local business owners in all discussion pertaining to New City’s downtown renaissance. If we want residents and visitors to feel comfortable, we have to know their tastes, preferences and needs.” Milich also urges local leaders to continue to create unique venues to showcase the area. “The Rockland County Fair and Farmers Market create a sense of pride in the community and help put us on the map.” Milich notes the need for more events that will encourage people to discover, stay, play and spend in New City. Residents can go to www.newcityvision.net for an update of what’s happening.
What else is happening in New City?
Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack is also leading a 5-year, $13
million project to improve drainage throughout the area. “During
extended periods of heavy rain some areas can become impassable.
No traffic means no business.” Gromack notes that fixing
the basics will demonstrate to current and future business owners
that New City is a great place to set up shop.
Developer Alfred Weissman of MAK Development Corp. in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. —wants to buy the New City train station, restore it and move it to a new shopping center he is developing on North Main Street.
Development Continues in Spring Valley
Spring Valley Mayor George Darden continues to champion a wealth
of strategic development initiatives that are on target to revitalize
and reshape the community. A prime example is the revival of
the Spring Valley market place, which consists of 200,000 square
feet of retail space. The commercial center, which brought a
healthy tax base and over 1,500 jobs to the area, features a
variety of shops including anchors such as Target and the Christmas
Tree Store. There is also the proposed Walmart Super Center
and gas station, which is still under review.
Darden is also making progress on the $200 million Spring Valley Urban Renewal Project, which will transform six downtown blocks into a thriving multi-use area featuring office and retail space as well as a series of new housing units. The project will increase traffic in the downtown area and further stimulate local commerce. Mayor Darden said the redevelopment effort will bring more than 200 people to the village when it is completed in 2010.
Darden is also making progress on the $200 million Spring Valley Urban Renewal Project, which will transform six downtown blocks into a thriving multi-use area featuring office and retail space as well as a series of
new housing units.
Last year, the village worked on a plan to construct two mixed-used buildings along a neglected stretch of North Main Street. The Community Preservation Corporation of Hawthorne, NY, hopes to complete the project, which would provide affordable housing, in the fall. Last year, when making the announcement of this plan, Darden said, “the people of Spring Valley deserve a Main Street of which they can be proud. New businesses will be attracted to our downtown, and many exisiting businesses will prosper. I believe that we can all look forward to the day when Main Street in Spring Valley is once again the true hub of Rockland County.”
Another project currently in the works will include 62 townhouses and a community center. The townhouses will cost between $300,000 and $350,000, Like other communities, a balanced approach to development is key for Spring Valley. While leaders are keen to attract new businesses and increase patronage in downtown shops and restaurants, they are also focused on tending to the needs of all residents and making the area a great place to live and raise a family.
What else is happening in Spring Valley?
Spring Village Attorney Bruce Levine recently announced that the
Spring Valley Urban Renewal Agency approved a plan by Prestige
Estates LLC to build two four-story condominium complexes and
15 townhouses on Jackson Street. RBD
Flood of news on drainage issues
Vanderhoef, Town Supervisors announce plan to help mitigate flooding
t’s either feast or famine in Rockland County—drought one year, flooding the next. To help mitigate the effects of flooding, as well as County-wide drainage problems, County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef and Supervisors Alex Gromack of Clarkstown, Thom Kleiner of Orangetown, Christopher St. Lawrence of Ramapo, Howard Phillips of Haverstraw and Philip Marino of Stony Point announced plans for a Countywide drainage study designed to identify and address these issues.
The study will be done in partnership with the five Towns, Vanderhoef said. An advisory committee consisting of engineers from Orangetown, Clarkstown, Ramapo, Haverstraw and Stony Point will provide assistance and advice in examining problem areas and developing a countywide model for storm water control. The Rockland County Drainage Agency (RCDA), led by Charles "Skip" Vezzetti, the County’s Superintendent of Highways, will act as lead agency on the study and will implement solutions based on the study’s findings.
“Drainage issues do not observe town lines. There are problem areas throughout our County,” Vanderhoef said. “ The best way to address these issues is to take a broad look at Rockland, identify where the problems lie and, in a joint effort by the County and our Towns, work in partnership to solve them.”
The RCDA has already collected significant data on Rockland’s 80 miles of regulated streams, and is currently working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to update existing maps to include feeder streams in order to evaluate changes in flows due to increased development. Data collection tools such as aerial photography and re-mapping of wetland areas using the Rockland County Geographic Informational System would be used in the study of the County’s watershed and sub-watershed areas.
Rockland County Drainage Agency Executive Director Edward Devine estimated that a preliminary study would cost approximately $500,000 and would be budgeted under the County’s Capital Projects fund. RBD
