The curved edge of this house has always been an intriguing feature. Does anybody know why they would build such a wall? This property on Benkard is in a rough spot, but it is a short sale, starting at $30,000. Something to keep in mind if you are interested is the $1.75 million cluster deal of Benkard homes on the market.
30 Benkard Ave Newburgh NY (George Koudounas, RE/MAX ) Asking Price: $30,000 Year Built: 1900 Size: 2,412 sq ft Neighborhood: The Heights Taxes: N/A Distance to NYC: 58.1 mi, 1 hour 9 mins Public Transportation: MetroNorth to Beacon, then take ferry across Closest Roadways: 9W, I-87, I-84 Google Map
A new 650,000 sq ft shopping center is coming to the Town of Newburgh at the corner of I-87 and I-84, just across the street from the foreclosed Newburgh Mall. It’s called The LOOP-Hudson Valley, and it is being developed by the Wilder Companies who have also done projects in the North East. According to their website, their major tenants are “Field & Stream, Dick’s Sporting Goods, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Michaels, ShopRite, a multi-screen theater, home goods, fitness, lifestyle retailers, and contemporary dining experiences.”
There are a few interesting aspects regarding this project. One of the most striking is the name. Nowhere on their website do they call this shopping center by the municipality it is located in, Newburgh. It’s almost as if they are hiding it. Even the official address of their webpage says, “I-84 & I-87, In the heart of the Hudson Valley, NY, 12550.” Why can’t they say Newburgh as they have done for The LOOP in Garden City Center, Milford, or Settlers Ridge? It is disappointing that they are not interested in uplifting the general image and perception of Newburgh to the international clientele they hope to attract according to a recent TWC article.
The article says they also want to give the mall a “Saratoga” feel, and to make it a place where you can bring your kids and walk down the “street”. It sounds like they are trying to recreate the downtown feel like the City of Newburgh, just no actual “street” to walk on. Looking at the map, these stores are vastly divided by large parking lots. The downtown model plans for foot traffic to attract consumers. The LOOP is counting on the 100,000 cars that will pass their site each day and the proposed casino. However, are drivers compelled to pull over and check out a new shopping complex as a pedestrian would be to window shop? With malls closing country-wide, you have to wonder, is this the right way to look for economic development, trying to recreate something that already exists? DeadMalls.com is a website dedicated to documenting this piece of retail history. Why will The LOOP fare much better than the Newburgh Mall? They are essentially the same thing, just that one is outdoors and one is indoors.
Although this project is located in the Town of Newburgh, there will surely be multiplier effects for the City of Newburgh and the rest of the region. What are your thoughts about the economic impact? Is this model sustainable to last another 20-30 years with the rise of online shopping?
The Aberrant View was curated by Virginia Walsh, Director and Curator of Exhibitions at Ann Street Gallery, a project of Safe Harbors of the Hudson. The Ann Street Gallery specializes in contemporary, emerging and established artists and provides quality exhibitions, programs and events that encourage a greater understanding and appreciation of contemporary art across cultures and among generation.
Artist Reception Saturday, December 13 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Art About Water is part art exhibition, part community awareness to bring attention to the importance of water. An exhibition of Artist’s works inspired by water in selected venues within the City of Newburgh will take place April 25, 2015. Water as a means of artist’s political, religious, spiritual, cultural, environmental and socioeconomic and political views.
A non-exhibition component of Art About Water will take place Friday April 24, 2015 5:00 -8:00 pm. Art About Water will be collaborating with SUNY Orange Cultural Affairs & Sustainability Departments, where the establishment of a public forum will take place, at Kaplan Hall, engaging community with a comprehensive overview of water in conversation with experts, artists, activists and scholars to explore the value of water. Deadline for submission is March 1, 2015.
The entire event is being organized and curated by Gerardo Castro: Organizer of Newburgh Open Studios, The Lightbulb Project and co-owner of Newburgh Art Supply.
“I grabbed this pic of downing park after the first snow.” – Frank/6thPlanetProductions
Add your own photos depicting city life to the Newburgh Restorationflickr poolto be used on the blog, oremail me. **Flickr users please do not forgot to remove disabling of downloading of pictures. Otherwise I can’t use them**
