Original Partition Street Project Site Plan

Above represents one of two versions of the original Saugerties Partition Street Project Site Plan Design created by Ashokan Architects in Kingston, New York.  This design was used to represent the project to the public and also included in the Village of Saugerties $780,000.00 grant awarded by the Empire Development Corporation. It was later abandoned for the most recent design which is being challenged by Saugerties Citizens for Smart Development.

letter writing

A simple letter to the editor can be a very effective way to express your opinions. Below are examples of letters. You can use them to help you write your own personalized letter. Remember to always address your letter to “Letter To The Editor” and include your contact information, i.e. Name, Location and a way for the editor (only) to contact you. It’s important that they know that you really are who you say. Anonymous letters aren’t taken seriously and are usually not accepted by newspapers.

Example Letter #1:

Letter To The Editor,

It’s important that the planning board preserve the friendly small-town environment of  the Village of Saugerties historic business district.  The Partition Street Project could be a great asset for our struggling small business community [though if it proceeds as currently proposed], I’m certain that this project will have an adverse effect.

Our local government needs to take due diligence required to ensure this project does not cause irreparable harm to our Village environment including traffic, visual impact and public access to the one remaining gem of Saugerties Village; the Historic Cantine Mill  property.

Example Letter#2:

Letter To The Editor,

Saugerties Village is my hometown and this is the reason I’m very concerned about the proposed Partition Street Project. As I see it, this development could be a great asset to our small community or it could just as well turn out to be a big mistake. What’s needed is a vigorous review which is required by our Local Waterfront Plan. Though I’m afraid the Saugerties Planning Board has failed to act with the due diligence mandated by law.

Our local government needs to stop and take a more serious look at the current plans and remember the responsibility they have to their neighbors as stewards of our future. Development can have either a  positive  or negative impact on its surroundings. I hope that the Saugerties Planning Board realizes that the future of Saugerties Village is in their hands.

Here is some Contact Information for local media sources:

Saugerties Times  -
Saugerties Post Star -
Kingston Freeman -
Times herald Record -
Poughkeepsie Journal -
Mid Hudson News -
LoHud -
Hudson Valley Press -

donations appreciated

Another way to help with our efforts to create a better Partition Street Project, is by helping us pay for legal fees and outreach. None of our core members benefit monetarily.Our time and  talents volunteered represent  a labor of love for Saugerties.

There are several methods of contribution and ANY amount you donate will be appreciated.

PayPal -
Credit Card -
Check or Money Order -
Cash -

Any of these methods can be a one time contribution or we can setup a reoccurring billing  schedule, i.e. monthly, quarterly or annually.

partition street project dam

Saugerties Cantine Dam

Original Partition Street Project Design 2004

In 2004 Brad Will of Ashokan Architects in Kingston New York was asked to draw some design plans for a convention center and retail project at the former Cantine Mill Paper Mill site in Saugerties. After several weeks of hard work the design plans, which included elevation and two separate versions of site plans, Brad and his partner presented the ideas to Tom Struzzieri of HITS (owner of Horses in The Sun).

Brad accepted the challenge as it was a historically significant location on the Esopus Creek and his repertoire included many similar projects.

Four years later, the design was used to obtain an Empire State Corporation grant of $780,000.00 and presented by Struzzieri as his new plan to revitalize the lower half od Saugerties Village. However, things changed and the idea didn’t “pencil out”, which lead to a new new design plan.

Now, the latest plan has two massive parking lots which greet visitors to Saugerties Historic Village and a wall of building which completely obscure any chance for the public to enjoy the magnificent Cantine dam.

Latest Partition Street Project Site Plan Landscape

Architect, engineer and lawyer representing the Partition Street Project were present at tonight’s (12/09/09) Saugerties Village Board meeting. Simulations were presented which were greeted with  a mix of opinions from the audience.

To the left – the Partition St. Project, LLC Preliminary Landscape Concept was presented showing a sparse application of Catalpa trees, Vinca, River Birch and other small shrubs which covered different areas of the site plan.

In addition, the project engineer Dennis Larios pointed to a roughly sketched “Event Tent” and “Viewing Plaza” which he stated represented a “gated public access area” which would be closed for special occasions. The question that was heard murmured around the firehouse meeting room [turned impromptu planning board room] was, “so is that what they call public access?”

Aerial of Cantine Dam Property

Upper Esopus over Cantine Dam