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Push Begins for Psych Center Plan
Source : Poughkeepsie Journal
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Date: 11.17.2006
Where thousands once lived and worked at Hudson River Psychiatric Center, stately red-brick buildings stand forlorn - apparitions from another age yearning to be freed from their purgatory overlooking the Hudson River.
But after seven years of vacancy, the center's former main campus off Route 9 may find new life in the not-too-distant future with the development of a community of homes and businesses that could be one of the largest such projects in Dutchess County's history. While the proposed Hudson Heritage Park has sparked broad interest from residents and community leaders, concerns also have been raised about the size of the proposed $250 million project and its potential impact on traffic, schools and municipal services.
Three years after the $2.75 million sale was finalized and a decade after plans to transform the property were first discussed, an application to redevelop all but 36 acres of the 156-acre site into a mix of residential and commercial uses has begun its expected two-year journey through the approval process.
Developer CPC Resources of New York City wants to build 750 housing units and create 350,000 square feet of commercial space on the site. The project could take at least eight years to complete once town approvals are granted.
If CPC's current plans are approved, town residents and thousands of people who travel through the corridor daily will witness one of the largest developments in Dutchess' history rise right before their eyes over the next decade.
The development could dramatically alter the town's northern Route 9 corridor and add hundreds of students to the nearby Hyde Park school system. Increases in traffic, environmental concerns and other potential problems the development could bring will be addressed during the approval process, expected to last into 2010.
Despite the project's size and potential to dramatically change the area, it has yet to encounter opposition from town leaders and most residents, many of whom see the development as a needed addition to Fairview's tax base. While there are concerns over various potential problems, most residents seem resigned to the fact the property will be developed.
They just want it done right, with their best interests in mind.
Town Supervisor Patricia Myers remembers a time when the center was a self-sufficient community, with its own services and amenities for patients and staff.
She hopes developers build a new pedestrian-friendly community with its own homes, stores and restaurants.
"That would be marvelous," Myers said. "I'm very much looking forward to seeing it being developed in a well-thought-out way."
John Saccardi of Saccardi & Schiff, a White Plains-based consultant for CPC, told the town board last month the project will feature several different types of housing and would create a "walkable community" with a Main Street that leads into the development from Route 9.
"We hope to create a real neighborhood up on this site," Saccardi said.
The developer plans to preserve the hospital's 18-acre great lawn and many of the site's historic buildings, although a portion of the main building severely damaged in a 2007 fire will have to be replaced.
At least thus far, there has been no public outcry to stop the project, with residents instead offering advice to developers and town officials on how they would like to see the site built, right down to the type of landscaping it should feature.
Location A Factor
The lack of opposition is no doubt because of the project's location.
The property is within the Fairview Fire District, where residents for years have paid some of the highest fire taxes in New York because of the district's many tax-exempt properties.
District residents hope the new development will bring them tax relief as the property returns to the tax rolls.
Virginia Buechele, who lives near the site and is a co-coordinator of the Fairness for Fairview citizens group, said it is too soon to tell if the project will bring the relief residents are looking for.
"A lot of people think it's going to be good for Fairview," Buechele said. "I'm not ready to make that call."
Myers noted even if the developer takes advantage of various tax-break opportunities, it will be better than having the property off the tax rolls completely, as it has been for generations.
"Anything is a positive," Myers said of potential tax revenues from the development.
Buechele, like many residents, is worried about what the project will do to traffic, schools and the environment.
"I think it's too dense," Buechele said of CPC's proposal. "I'm worried about what they are going to do about conservation easements, buffer areas and wildlife."
Myers agreed issues such as traffic, preserving historic buildings and others must be thoroughly reviewed before any development is approved.
Other town board members have also indicated the project will face tough scrutiny as it advances.
Councilman Stephan Krak-ower, R-5th Ward, said he would like to see a more thorough traffic study than the one now being considered by developers. It would include 11 intersections near the site, which sits between the heavily traveled Route 9 and Route 9G.
"To me, 11 intersections is inadequate," Krakower said last month during a scoping session on the project. "I think the traffic study should be broader."
Krakower also suggested performing an economic analysis of the project's impact, noting the tough economy and already empty commercial space in town.
He also hinted the project may have to be scaled back.
"It's being proposed at these numbers," Krakower said of the 750 housing units and 350,000 square feet of commercial space. "I don't think that's where it will end up."
Saccardi said specifics of the proposal are likely to change as the project moves through the approval process.
"This will be a major project, a project that will take a number of years," Saccardi said.
As part of the review process, he said developers will also examine alternative plans for the site.
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