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Builder, Dover Split on Plan for Ex-Psych Center Developer Sets Public Session
02.22.2007
By Michael Woyton
Poughkeepsie Journal
DOVER PLAINS - The proposed redevelopment of a former state hospital site may be stalled as the town and builder sort out how to proceed.
A flurry of letters has gone back and forth between the town board and the Benjamin Companies about changes to the plan to create 1,400 housing units and commercial retail space on the 800-acre former Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center.
The developer has decided to proceed with a community information meeting Monday, much to the town's displeasure.
The Benjamin Companies, a Long Island development firm, purchased the site from the state in October 2003 for $3.95 million.
An adjacent property - the 83-acre Dykeman farm - was also purchased. To date, about $13 million has been spent, including land costs, renovations to the Manor House and three years of site management.
Official: Request rejected
Deputy Supervisor Brian Kelly said Wednesday the board asked the builder to have an additional meeting to hash out some differences prior to going before the public. There had already been two meetings.
"They refused," he said.
Kelly said the board didn't have a problem with the developer briefing the public.
"The problem is they like to sell their side of the story," he said, "and they try to make us look like the bad guy."
The board sent the developer an eight-page letter dated Feb. 2 that enumerated concerns in the proposal.
Firm: Many challenges
Russell Mohr, Benjamin's vice president for real estate development and sales, countered in a Feb. 6 letter the content of the town document conflicted sharply with the general consensus his team thought it had reached with the town.
"We have an understanding that this is a tremendous development for Dover and Dutchess County as a whole," he said in a phone interview Tuesday.
Mohr said the challenges presented by the town have been enormous in comparison with other projects in which his company has been involved.
"We want to continue to move forward with this project," he said. "We are feeling we have to get this out to the general public."
Sam Shufelt, president of the Dover school board and chairman of the development's community advisory committee, said the town board has the community's best interests at heart.
He said the Monday meeting is a good idea for all concerned.
"It think it's going to be interesting for both sides," Shufelt said.
Michael Woyton can be reached at mwoyton@poughkeepsiejournal.com
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