Immediate Release
January 12, 2010
Media: For more information, please contact
Barry Benepe, 845-246-6491 or barrybenepe@aol.com
Dave Minch, 845-246-2711 or architrek12477@yahoo.com
Drawing: Barry Benepe
Saugerties Citizens for Smart Development (CSD) calls upon Congressman Maurice Hinchey to tell the truth about the proposed Partition Street Project planned for Saugerties. Congressman Hinchey’s statement that “there is no limitation on the views of the fall” is false on its face. The Partition Street Project as proposed will block the views of the magnificent Cantine Mill Falls from the public. The developer/owners of whom Hinchey is one provide two points that they call “public access.” However, neither is adequate in size or placement. One is known as the “snow dump” and is not shown on the plan, is not owned by the developers, and is far from the waterfall and blocked by trees. The second site offered is on the southern most end of the project overlooking the hydro electric plant, not the waterfall. The rest of the waterfront is blocked from public view and is privatized for the purpose of commercial ventures. A third suggestion that has been made by the developer is that the public can go to the restaurant, order a glass of water, and enjoy the view. CSD’s point of view is that with some planning real public access could be provided at the Partition Street Project which would become a regional attraction that would draw people to Saugerties and be a boost to the local economy and to the Partition Street Project itself. What is proposed will cut off this possibility forever.
To add insult to injury the plan calls for the blasting of Nanny Goat Hill, an ice age formation unique in Ulster County, to build a two-tier overflow parking lot. Let us not destroy what nature gave us (or to quote a Joni Mitchell song they plan to “pave [d] paradise and put up a parking lot”) in order to satisfy the occasional parking needs for special events. CSD has many other approaches to offer the Congressman, if he would listen.
CSD, a group formed to provide public access to the waterfront with a walkway along the bluff, protect Nanny Goat Hill, reduce the amount of surface parking, and provide an attractive landscaped entrance with buildings that fit into the historic context of the Village of Saugerties was disappointed to learn that Congressman Maurice Hinchey, an owner of the Partition Street Project, seeks to divert public attention away from the real issues. Hinchey says and we all — including CSD members — agree that the project will be good for Saugerties. The issue is whether the Congressman will honor the community vision and the law.
When Congressman Hinchey discussed the planning of the Hudson Landing project in Kingston, he raised his concerns about the environment to make sure that the process was properly followed. But in the case of the Partition Street Project the Congressman is promoting a double standard: one for his project and another for all other projects. If the Congressman would just substitute “Saugerties” for “Kingston” in the attached press release and letter, the project could be improved and be better for Saugerties.
Why does the Congressman apply a double standard when it comes to the Partition Street Project? Why is the process conducted without a full environmental review that is usually required in a project of this size and complexity? Why are the Congressman’s constituents concerns being dismissed?
The Congressman attempts to de-legitimize the concerns of CSD because we are a “small group.” This is irrelevant. As the Congressman well knows the history of the environmental movement in this country is full of examples of the efforts of small groups of environmentally aware citizens making a huge difference. Our willingness to stand up for the environment and be heard, as others have done often against tremendous odds, is the kind of grassroots guts upon which the movement was built. How does the Congressman think groups like Scenic Hudson and Clearwater were born?
Attached is a letter from CSD’s attorney, Grant & Lyons, LLP that spells out CSD’s concerns including the closed nature of the environmental review, the double standard embraced by Congressman Hinchey, the original vision for this property as supported by Hinchey and Mayor Yerick, and the need for a positive declaration to be issued by the Village of Saugerties Planning Board in the State Environmental Review Act process.
Barry Benepe's Drawing for Cantine Mill Walkway
OSI – Open Space Institute
One Comment
As someone new to this project, I watched the last meeting that had many comments from the community. People were concerned with transportation,historic preservation,public access, architectual designs and the state environmental process.I saw the differnt alternative proposals and have read letters and statements by both sides.The Economic Developement Corporation has granted this project 10% of the money needed to complete this construction. The community has been positive about the plan. I feel the 10% funding should represent at least 10% of the alternative proposals for the project.The developers should listen to an organized group with positive recomendations.They should meet with this group as a partner(10%) and discuss some options.I believe 2% access for public viewing isn’t enough. My personal concern is the type of restaurant offered to the community.Will it be another restaurant that prices out 90% of the Saugerties population and enable customers with high incomes to participated in high end food entrees and sunset views. Will the sevice workers afford to eat there? Is it for our community or some other community? It’s interesting that a park was planned ten years ago but funding wasn’t available but now it is when the country is in such a financial decline.Does politics play a role here? A polititician is involved and a partner in developement. The developers should be open and talk without being threatened by alternative groups. They should think about our community first and their future profits second. Risking capital is both a public and private affair in this case.