LEGISLATURE STUFF - Construction Bids and Hot Coffee Brewing

CATSKILL - It might not be as pretty as the spring daffodils that will be blooming  soon, but an infrastructure blossoming is underway at the Gateway Greene Commercial Park.

Greene County Legislature members, at a recent meeting, authorized the pursuit of bids for reinventing the county Tourism Center.

For many years, the official welcome spot has been at the entrance to or exit from Exit 21 of the New York State Thruway, depending upon which direction you are heading.

As part of a transaction between the Stewarts Shop Corporation and the Greene County Industrial Development Agency, that building has been demolished in what is essentially a flip flop of property.

The building has been replaced by a new Stewarts Shop, with the national chain moving across the street from its former store along Route 23B.

In turn, Stewarts is transferring ownership of their old land to the IDA which is working with the county to remodel the old structure for use as a more spacious Tourism Center, filling two needs with one deed.

Stewarts gets an even more convenient entranceway for incoming and outgoing travelers while the IDA continues to set the stage for for its visionary Gateway Greene Commercial Park.

An early April opening is slated for the new Stewarts and while they make ready their hot coffee and cold ice cream, the IDA is anticipating more activity at the location.

Groundbreaking for Stewarts happened last November, progressing swiftly and serving as a harbinger for the arrival of a Hamptons Inn.

When shovels started digging, the Greene County Economic Development department issued a press release, detailing what else was to come.

“Exit 21 Catskill serves as one of the highest traffic access points to and from destinations within Greene County, and the adjacent commercial real estate has been underutilized for years,” the release states.

“That is all about to change. Site work is now in full-swing on the Exit 21 East Commercial Park,” between the village of Leeds and the Jefferson Heights section of Catskill.

“Both residents and visitors will soon witness the benefits of public/private development efforts that will increase access to commercial services and hotel accommodations while creating jobs, increasing tax base and enhancing sales tax revenues.”

All that is occurring, “not to mention improving the aesthetic and safety of the area around the interchange,” the release states.

“The vision and accomplishments of the Greene County Legislature to stimulate investment through public infrastructure and capital facilities development is steadily coming to fruition.

“Located East and West of Catskill Exit 21 sits two strategically located commercial parks owned by the [IDA],” the release states.

“The development of Shovel Ready Parks in the Town of Catskill continues to be a priority for the County and the IDA,” the release states.

“It is anticipated that the timing of awards for the renovation of the [Tourism Center] will coincide with the completion of the new Stewarts shop.”

Legislature Majority Leader Matthew Luvera, at the time said. “the economic impact of Greene County’s investment in the Exit 21 redevelopment initiative is a real game-changer.

“This project demonstrates the ability of local government and private-sector investors to come together to create real opportunities that make our communities better.

“The new Hampton Inn and expanded Stewart’s are great anchor businesses, and the infrastructure improvements we are making will continue to attract more development both along 23B and on both East and West sides of the Thruway,” Luvera said.

An agreement has been reached with Central Hudson Gas & Electric to extend existing natural gas service from Jefferson Heights to service parcels on both sides of the Thruway.

This will be “advancing future development into Exit 21 East and Exit 21 West properties owned by the IDA,” the press release states. 

There is no precise timeframe for completing renovations of the Tourism Center with employees currently operating out of the county building on Main Street in Catskill.

The IDA, in addition to securing the Exit 21 East and West properties, is investing $75,000 on the Tourism Center remake with the county contributing an estimated $1.2 million, officials say.