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Editorial - Don't Ditch Dover Deal
08.12.2007
Poughkeepsie Journal
Given the lack of progress after years of debate, it's not too surprising the developers of the former Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center have called a halt to the project for now.
The Town of Dover and the developers - Benjamin Companies of Long Island - have been unable to get in sync about many issues. Exchanges between the two have gotten testy after initial vows of cooperation. But neither side will benefit from a stalemate. They should renew efforts to get this sprawling, dormant site transformed into a sound mix of new homes and businesses.
Benjamin Companies announced Tuesday it will "mothball" the buildings and grounds and suspend work on the project indefinitely, saying the town board is either "unwilling or incapable of moving this project forward."
Indeed, the town has to start the review process at some point and use the various stages to settle some of the outstanding issues.
Benjamin's rather dramatic announcement will certainly cause many in the community to demand the board renew its efforts along those lines. But Benjamin's strategy must not open the spigots for any type of development plan the company may deem fit to employ. That would hurt the town.
Town officials have adamantly maintained the company must strike the proper balance between residential and commercial properties - and between new construction and refurbishing some of the old buildings on the grounds. There are good reasons for this.
The Company purchased the 800-acre center from the state in October 2003 for 3.95 million, and then negotiated a separate deal with a private owner to get an adjacent 83-acre farm. Over time, it wants to create nearly 1,400 homes, and the first phase primarily would target open space west of Route 22, which divides the property.
To the degree possible, the town wants the developer to focus on creating a walk able community that not only includes new homes and townhouses but renovates some of the buildings just east of Route 22 to lure job producing businesses. The board fears - and justifiably so - that too much residential sprawl will burden taxpayers by increasing the need for government services and bolstering school enrollments. The board realizes that the psychiatric center grounds present the town with the best opportunity for economic development. That's because the property has a Metro-North Railroad line running through its middle, and a train station at its heart. In addition, the site has its own power, water and sewer plants, all of which make it an ideal place for business development.
The town's insistence on better planning guidelines already has had some success. For insistence, the developers have agreed to build more residential structures closer to the train station to create a salable community and preserve more of the adjoining farm as open space. The Dutchess County planning department in particular had sought this change. Tellingly, though, Dutchess planning Commission Roger Akeley said last week thought Benjamin was on the right track to begin the necessary environmental reviews following these changes.
Benjamin understandably wants the reviews to begin in earnest, so the company and the town would have realistic benchmarks and deadlines to iron out any issues. It is a reasonable request. Benjamin has spent 13 million dollars on land purchases, renovating the Manor House on the former psychiatric center grounds. managing the site and paying taxes over the years.
The town should keep in mind the state shut off the heat to these buildings more than a decade ago. The longer a developer has to wait to renovate them, the greater the risk they will be unsalvageable.
While Tuesday's announcement was fairly straightforward, there are other factors at play. The developers could be banking on a change in the board's makeup following this fall's election, for instance. Regardless, at some point, the developers and the town will have to get back to the table and find a way to get this project moving. For all concerned, that would be better now than later.
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