Developments

The City of Newburgh has sent out the following press release announcing the first convictions for illegal dumping.

Three Newburgh residents were convicted in City Court on Tuesday morning of violating the City’s new anti-dumping law, passed in September 2015. Judge Paul Trachte accepted city Assistant Corporation Counsel Timothy Kramer’s suggested $750 fine for each of the three, and gave them one month to pay up. The new ordinance calls for a minimum fine of $500 for the first offense, but the City wanted to send a message.

“We want everyone to know that littering and dumping in Newburgh is now being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said City Council member Genie Abrams, who represents the Ward in which the dumping occurred.

“This case set the precedent,” said Karen Mejia, Councilwoman for Ward 1, who worked for weeks with Police Chief Dan Cameron to find a test case. “We are serious about our new ordinance, and we want the world to know that you cannot toss trash, garbage, tires, electronics, furniture, building materials or anything else onto any public areas of our City. We will continue to prosecute every single case, and with increased video surveillance, we will be catching more and more culprits. It’s crazy now to risk a minimum fine of $500 to dump a mattress on our streets, when by calling the Department of Public Works at 565-3297 you can arrange for them to pick them up for you, for a small fee,” stated Councilwoman Mejia.

The three men did not retain a lawyer. They heard the charges against them, and their punishment in Trachte’s courtroom. They all quickly accepted their $750 fines and the one-month payment deadline. Outside the courtroom, they told Councilwoman Abrams that they had not been working for a landlord when they were seen by an anonymous tipster on Feb. 10, who saw them dumping mattresses at the corner of Renwick and Johnes streets and called the cops.

“We are very grateful to the person who witnessed this dumping and called the police,” Mejia said, “and we urge all Newburghers to be on the alert for dumpers in their neighborhoods or anywhere in the City.”

-Photo by NJP Thompson

Has anyone else noticed the developments of this building located at the corner of Washington and Mill Street? This is one building I definitely thought would be demolished. The east side of the building had a crack from foundation to roof which made the building look like it was breaking in 2. Just last week though, I spotted this construction work happening.

One of the great things about Newburgh is that it is an actual city. Broadway, Liberty Street, and the waterfront are not the only commercial thoroughfares. In 1895 this building and its owner were mentioned:

THOMAS LITTLETON formerly one of the Almshouse Commissioners owns a good business location at No 274 Washington Street Newburgh and enjoys a large retail trade in staple and fancy groceries and liquors…In 1862 he went to New York and served as coachman for Mrs Lawrence on Fifth Avenue remaining there for two years after which he ran as conductor on the old horse car line for three years. Returning to Newburgh he started in business for himself and conducted a store in New Windsor for two years. In 1870 he opened an establishment in the building which he owns at the corner of Mill and Washington Streets.

We know the building, most likely dates back to circa 1870. Hopefully one day it can enjoy the large retail trade it did under Mr. Littleton.

It’s real folks. Work is finally happening to 96 Broadway. This is part of Phase I that includes exterior renovations which focus on masonry repair, the rebuilding and stabilization of the roof and cornice, rebuilding the original corner storefront and freize as well as window replacement. What a difference this will make! A restaurant is planned for the first floor, and apartments for upper floors.

Rendering of what it will look like in the future:

In 2014 Habitat for Humanity in Newburgh announced they were awarded one of three grants to Habitat affiliates to create live/work housing opportunities for qualifying families who would also like to open up their own business. They have now announced that the first of three homes will be built during a builders blitz June 6-11, 2016.

The target area for this new program is Washington Street, more specifically the empty lot next to the old Habitat headquarters. Habitat has yet to officially announce what the new business will be but they did share a photo on Twitter of the new owner reviewing his plans.

For the remaining two properties, applications are still being accepted from families who qualify for the Habitat Homeownership program and have an existing small/micro business or a solid plan to start one. Please contact Clint McNair at 845.568.6035, x. 104 or email him at cmcnair@habitatnewburgh.org.

Take a close look at these properties on South William Street because soon they will look drastically different-in a good way. Developer, RE.vitalize Newburgh is taking on the task of rehabilitating 3 of these 4 properties. The 4th will be done by a different developer. Work has begun on the first property, 127 South William. Long neglected it is staggering the amount of work that must be done. Rotted walls and ceilings are falling, substandard kitchens and bathrooms must be gutted, and some floors have an inch worth of black mysterious substances on the original wood floors. Slowly though, as the dropped ceilings begin to fall and the dumpster pile begins to grow, things are changing.

These properties are located on the same block as Atlas Industries and Studios, which has approximately 30 tenants who are artisans, craftsman, and the like. Just over a year ago their windows were blocked in. However, recently they have been opened up and exciting plans for the ground floor are being discussed. It makes sense then that South William would be the next block to see development as have the other blocks heading north up to Broadway. It is worthy to note that RE.vitalize Newburgh is concerned with more than just flipping these properties to get tenants in as fast as possible. They are committed to making social and placemaking changes to South William. If tenants adhere to RE.vitalize guidelines, they will on a per unit basis, donate 100% of the unused annual repair budget to a local social and community service organizations that directly impact that resident or the community. They also plan to add a tree to their sidewalk and add sufficient lighting to increase safety.

They have already begun to work on being a responsible neighbor by cleaning up the adjacent neglected property, 109 South William, which they do not own. It was overwrought with weeds and foliage, which not only made it unsightly but also dangerous. A lot of people of have been interested in this property. Anyone I know who has submitted an inquiry has not had a response. Although it may look like a small warehouse, it is rather large with 2 floors and an extensive basement. Depending on the use of the property if ever sold, it could help be a game-changer, not only to South William, but also to William and Liberty Street. For now, between Atlas, Ted Doering’s warehouse (Resnick’s) and the work on these residential properties, South William is heading in the right direction. Thornwillow is also increasing their presence to the area with plans being discussed for properties along South Lander. A steady concentration of development is building and slowly but surely it will reach the Liberty Street School.

Apartments should be ready to rent early 2016. Stay tuned if you are interested. For now, check out some before photos of what 127 South William looks like now.