Architect Jeff Wilkinson has given us a slight glimpse into the future for two properties undergoing development in Newburgh; 13 Chambers and 197 Lander. Both properties were facilitated through the land bank. Today, 197 Lander is being developed by Toll Road Manor. This was pretty much a gut job, and you can see from the plans that façade repair is being made as well as salvaging what is in tact.
We have already looked at 15 Chambers which was completed last month. These rendering give us a chance to see what will be done with the property next door, 13 Chambers. One thing that we are glad to see is that a proper storefront will be restored back to the building. Currently it is bricked up. Visually, this will make great strides for this south section of the block boarded by Broadway and 1st.
The City of Newburgh has recently reported on the results of its code violation abatement program. Property owners receive a 21 day notice period in which they must themselves must clean up their trash-filled property, or it will be done by the City at the consequence of receiving at a bill, which can range from $1500 to $6,000. Failure to pay the bill results in a tax levy against the property.
Wednesday is Abatement Day, with 10 properties scheduled for City cleanup. According to the City’s press release, “Every week, the number of properties that DPW has to clean up has steadily decreased. For the past two weeks, the top 10 were all cleaned up by their owners prior to abatement by the City.” They also say that, ten more properties festooned with furniture, mattresses, garbage, carpets and other debris are scheduled for abatement on April 23.
The City of Newburgh is seeking sealed bids from qualified applicants for the reconstruction of Tyrone Crabb Park including playground installation. Tyrone Crabb Park, at South and Liberty Streets, will incorporate active and passive space including an outdoor stage, landscaping, walkways, lighting and benches. Bids must be returned to the City Comptroller’s office, 4th floor, City Hall, 83 Broadway by April 21, 2014, at 2 p.m. The City of Newburgh anticipates construction will commence in May/ June 2014.
Community members have lobbied for a park on the vacant lot across from Calvary Presbyterian Church and Old Town Cemetery since the late 1990’s. The original design concept for Tyrone Crabb Memorial Park was created by local architect Drew Kartiganer. Eberlin & Eberlin Associates, Landscape Architects and Consulting Engineers have been hired to complete the final design.
A City Councilman from 1985-1989, Tyrone Crabb was elected Mayor in November of 1999, and died Dec. 22, 1999 soon after taking the oath of office but before his official term could begin. Following his death, the City Council appointed his widow, Mary Crabb, to serve as Mayor.
Official bid documents can be obtained from the City Engineer’s office, first floor, City Hall, 83 Broadway, for $25 a copy (non-refundable), or through the Hudson Valley Municipal Purchasing Group (HVMPG) Regional Bid Notification System athttp://www.empirestatebidsystem.comat no charge. Copies of the bidding documents obtained from any other source are not considered official copies. Only those vendors who obtain bidding documents from the Engineer’s Office, or the Regional Bid Notification System will be sent addendum information, if such information is issued. For more information, please visit http://www.cityofnewburgh-ny.gov/planning-development.
This project is funded through grants from the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and the United States Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
The development of Mid-Broadway lot is pivotal to the revitalization of Newburgh. This lot was not always empty. Many stable buildings were demolished in hopes of having SUNY Orange develop the site. When that hope failed Broadway was left with a gaping hole that does little to welcome visitors to the city. Last year various plans were presented to develop the lot using a supermarket on the first floor and office and residential space above. A large parking lot had been proposed that would involve razing the last remaining building that seems to still be in decent shape.
Two citizens, Stuart Sachs and Drew Kartiganer, have filed a lawsuit against the City. A recent Mid Hudson Times article covered the story. Among the controversial issues that surround the lot, citizens are most upset that this project was not approved by the planning board. It was approved by the City Council, none of which have planning or zoning experience, which makes this case very unusual. David Church, commissioner of planning for Orange County was quoted in the article from a letter he sent the city council in May as saying, “currently and historically all special use permits are awarded by the Planning Board in the City of Newburgh.” Other reasons Sachs and Kartiganer do not approve of the lot is because of 91 poverty housing units, approximately 100 parking spaces, and the developer will only pay less than 20% of the taxes they should pay for the next 50 years.
Stuart Sachs was quoted as saying the following:
“In this particular case, the City’s decision was so egregiously poor and so obviously opposite of best practices and good planning, and specifically opposite to the City’s Master Plan and Future Land Use Plan that we felt there was no overriding public interest in reversing the direction if such a thing were possible.
“The Mid Broadway site is one of the most important and prominent development sites that will guide the future of look, stature and stability of Newburgh, and it should not be wasted on a poorly planned non-conforming project whose only benefit seems to be the hefty profits of would-be developers who invest none of their own money, and considered none of the needs of the community, and saddle the City’s taxpayers with a hefty tax bill to subsidize forever as they ease off with millions in tow.”
Last February we posted a story regarding developers persistence for the supermarket. Many strong opinions were voiced in opposition to the supermarket while others thought it might be a good idea but questioned the type of supermarket that might be developed. One thing that is for certain is that Broadway is the gateway of Newburgh. Whatever is done with the lot will set a precedent for the rest of the development of the area.
For those of you interested in attended meetings that will discuss the Mid-Broadway Lot there will be a zoning board of appeals meeting on March 25 @7:30pm at 401 Washington Street.
Habitat for Humanity in Newburgh completed a home builders blitz last year on Chambers Street. This year they plan to do it again on E. Parmenter which will complete the planned East Parmenter neighborhood. Two houses, # 26 and # 28 E. Parmenter will be built in just 5 days on June 9- June 13th!
Contractors, suppliers and the general public are invited to be part of an extraordinary common purpose to share their skills and resources, or help raise funds and secure donated goods and services. The goal is to have the two houses completely built by donated labor and services with general donations making up any difference.
Material donations of lumber, concrete, windows, doors, plumbing and electrical supplies, drywall, and insulation are still needed. Carpenters are also needed to support the installation of siding, exterior and interior trim.
For more information about how to donate labor, materials or get involved in other ways, please visit www.HabitatNewburgh.org or call 845 568-6035 ext.105 or 117.
The Newburgh Community Land Bank just announced on their blog a new initiative they are starting with the City. It is a rent-to-own program aimed at helping tenants who pay their rent, yet the City has taken over their residences because their landlords haven’t paid property taxes. The Land Bank explains the method as follows:
The idea is that the Land Bank will work with tenants, set aside a portion of the rent, assist with the upkeep of the home, and enroll the owner in home ownership counseling and savings assistance to enable them to purchase the properties they have responsibly rented for various periods of time. We are optimistic that this partnership will lead to quite a few Newburgh residents becoming homeowners. We expect that the details will be worked out in the next month and the first batch of tenants will enroll in the program during the Spring.
For tenants that are truly hard working and are responsible to pay their rent on time, this program will help them keep the homes that they have been maintaining. It will be interesting to see how this program spans out in the long run.
Photo by NR flickr pool user Jillian Elder, Victory Designs.
