This last January, the Chamber of Commerce set up a Parking Task Force to investigate and report on the feasbility of a downtown garage to the Village Board. The Task Force has met approximately monthly and has brought in various experts in its quest to understand the alternatives and their impact.
The Task Force is in the process of finalizing its report and will be submitted to the Village Board in the next couple of months.
A complication is the issue of the Riverspace Development, which would have a huge impact on the feasibility of a garage. The comments on this post represent an online “conversation” that has occurred over the issue by some of the Task Force members. They do no represent the views of the Chamber.
It demonstrates the difficulties of a project of this scale. All Task Force members support the idea of the Riverspace development, but there are concerns about feasibility, its impact on tax payers, and the process of how it is being implemented.
The following comment was provided by JC Brotherhood, who is not a member of the parking task force:
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Anytime I see in print from a politician or hear some sales man tell me “It won’t cost you a thing” I immediately reach for my wallet to make sure it’s still there.
Just because I am paranoid doesn’t mean someone isn’t out get me; Or my wallet.
If a rising tide lifts all boats then how do you explain the low tide smell permeating our village today? Could it be some have overplayed their hand?
Having said that I think Nyack needs to move forward. Do anything, even if it’s “baby steps” especially these days. Baby steps would be to make a clear distinction between the “Downtown revitalistion plan” and “Riverspace” Lets be clear that they are two separate initiatives; One is about investing in public infrastructure and the other is about investing in another real estate scheme; which addresses the infrastructure issue as an “amenity”.
Its easy to preside over a Bull Market, Its when the bears arrive and are eying your picnic basket is when you want to have a plan.
I certainly appreciate the discussion here but I wonder if it has come to the attention of Yogi and Boo Boo Bear who are currently in charge of the picnic.
Where’s Ranger Rick when you need him?
I share most of the sentiments already expressed above. I think the Riverspace proposal would be transformational, and a huge benefit to our community.
BUT, I just can’t see how it is feasible without a HUGE “angel” capital infusion. And although there is much talk about such divine money, Riverspace has not shown any specifics.
As far as I can tell, the Village budget has virtually no “padding” in its budget for additional expenses, and the tax base is so limited that even small increases will have a noticable effect on property owners. And the Village’s ability to bond is much lower what would be required to finance a parking garage to support the project.
There is a chicken and egg issue, where Riverspace is looking for approval before moving forward with feasibily, and the Village needs due diligence before it can give an type of approval.
The only ways out as far as I see is to have the angel investor pay for the feasibility, or use federal money, such as Block Grant money. This is definitely an economic development project with a public component. It would qualify I believe.
Hi Bob;
You are certainly correct that the Village only controls a portion of the “block”. It was that portion controlled by the Village that I was referring to. Prior to the RiverSpace proposal there were other proposals that considered redevelopment of the Main Street parking lot for commercial and residential uses and additional parking at the rear lot, both of which are owned by the Village.
One thought was to offer these properties to a developer who would develop the site to meet some of the goals the Village was interested in achieving (more parking, additional street front commercial (architecturally consistent with the aesthetic of the Village) and additional residential (rent/condo) opportunities.
How that would happen needs further investigation. Some thought to just selling these parcels to a developer for a one-time cash amount with the developer providing an agreed upon development proposal. Another thought was that the Village would give the property to a developer who would in return provide additional improvements for the Village such as additional parking or other infrastructure improvements determined by the Village.
While developing the entire block in a comprehensive and cohesive master plan would be the ideal, it may not be possible for the very reasons you mentioned in your email. My point was to again raise the issues of meeting today’s Village needs, how would the RiverSpace proposal be financed and to warn against waiting and not doing anything by chasing a plan that may not ever come to fruition.
Barney–
As much as I might agree with the thoughts laid out in your e-mail, the last time I looked the Riverspace site (with the exception of the parking lots) is still private property on which Josh Goldberg has an option. Unless the Village buys the properties in question (as they did with the old Helen Hayes Theatre site), an RFP for the site put out by the Village is meaningless.
my impression remains that the sponsors are relying on some sort of “magic” unbeknown to us to finance it and have it actually come into being.
The current handout and their past promotions simply ignore the financing issue…or discuss it in an unrealistic manner. and to just pronounce that it won’t cost tax payers “anything” without discussing maintenance, snow removal, the need for more necessary parking than that is now being proposed, etc. is to my mind just a promotional tactic.
No one would like to see the face of that block redeveloped as commercial/residential/parking uses more than me. The Riverspace proposal with real funding is fine and if it comes to pass SOON. We (The Village) however should not be held “hostage” year after year with this proposal dangling before us like the rabbit at the dog track.
I personally think redeveloping this area is so critical to the health of the downtown that the Village should immediately resolve/approve/develop and advertize an RFP (Request for Proposal) to have this area developed as street level commercial, residential 1st. and 2nd. Floors and incorporate more than adequate parking and demonstrate (1) a realistic financing element and (2) a 2 year construction timeframe commitment. If one or more of the proposers proposes an arts center, so be it. But an “arts center” need not be and realistically probably can’t be the driving focus of this project. If the Village has to give the property up in return for far larger and substantial public benefits to all Village residents…again..so be it!!!!
I, too, would like to know more about the hard economics of the project; this subject was glossed over at the presentation a few months ago.
According to the pamphlet, the option is up in June of 2010, not next June (whew!).
Wouldn’t the success of such a project be perfect for Riverspace and Nyack?
It is however, disingenuous to represent that it will not cost the taxpayer. With taxes frozen at current levels; no workforce housing to satisfy an aging population and to retain our emergency service volunteers; the village’s acquisition of land and construction of parking necessary to supplement the undercount on on-site parking (all as Riverspace requires); coupled with the cost of additional on-going municipal services, the development will cost the taxpayers.
And if the project does not succeed on its own merit, Nyack is left with an empty specialty building, or the need to further subsidize the development – at taxpayer expense. Arguably, the project has the potential of a great cultural boon – for Nyack and the region. When will we see a pro-forma of how this “economic engine” will have a net financial benefit to the community – in good times and in bad?
I so want this to work, but I am still not convinced of its viability as presently structured.