Saugerties Village Ignores New York State Coastal Management Program

Saugerties Village is designated in SASS documents as a Scenic Area of Statewide Significance. Saugerties Village completed its own Local Waterfront Revitalization Program which was approved in1985. The purpose of which was the future protection and restoration of the Village's natural, historic and scenic resources.

The Cantine Dam property (and future home of The Partition Street Project) falls within NYS DOS Division of Coastal Resources' definition of an abandoned site having natural, historic and scenic significance. However, the Partition Street Project developers have not been required to provide for public access to what is undeniably Saugerties Village's most important waterfront resource.

The owners [and developers] of this Village landmark are Tom Struzzieri (HITS), John Mullen and Congressman Maurice Hinchey. You would think, with a US Congressman as an owner, The Partition Street Project would  adhere to the requirements of Saugerties Village's own LWRP (Local Waterfront Revitalization Program).

However, to this point (11/07/09) in the Village Zoning Board approval and SEQRA process, the architects' plans are missing many of the mandated requirements for building along Saugerties' Esopus Creek banks.

In 2004, Ashokan Architects of Kingston New York designed the plans and provided the drawings for a beautiful project which resurfaced four years later (2008) as Tom Struzzieri announced plans (HITS boss plans hotel, catering hall, restaurant in Saugerties) for the catalyst which would be the Village's revitalization. But apparently after receiving $780,000 in EDC grants the original design was abandoned for the latest plans which restricts public access, obscures views of the dam and includes sprawling parking lots which will welcome visitors to the Village's Historic District.

Referring to enforcement of the Villages' Historic Review laws, Mayor Yerick passionately proclaimed [in a 2002 Daily Freeman article] that he would be "... hell-bent ... to get the thing implemented and executed so we can get some people to consider other people, their neighbors..." Apparently the laws he was referring to, only apply to the less favored because this past April (09) Mayor Yerick unilaterally dissolved the entire Historic Review board (Replacement of board draws fire in Saugerties) because the board wrote a letter to the Village Zoning Board stating their concern about the huge parking lots which are included in the newly revised Partition Street Project.

To date, the necessary drawings that would clarify the contour and accurate view of what Villagers could anticipate from the construction of The Partition Street has yet to be made public. The fact remains that this project, whether you support it as is, or with changes, represents a significant change to Saugerties Village's  quality of life.

Please contact the Division of Coastal Resources (Hudson Valley Division)
or Director George Stafford to express your concern about Saugerties Village's refusal to require any meaningful public access and protection of our Esopus Creek waterfront at the proposed Partition Street Project.

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If you have problems using the above form, please go to http://www.dos.state.ny.us/about/contact.asp and select "Coastal Resources", fill the form with your comments and submit.

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Albany Office
Division of Coastal Resources
NYS Department of State
99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1010
Albany, NY 12231-0001
Telephone Number: 518-474-6000
Fax Number: 518-473-2464

Original Saugerties Partition Street Project

Original Partition Street Project Site Plan
which was initially promoted by Lead Edge Developers , a.k.a Tom Struzieri (Horses in The Sun), Maurice Hinchey (US Congressman) and John Mullen (Mullen Construction. However, the present site plan is much less user-friendly and doesn't seem to take into consideration good design practices.

The original site plan depicts three buildings that total 73,000 s.f., surface parking for 95 behind the street front buildings, and underground parking for 155. The garage is entered from Dock Street and exits onto Partition Street.

Notice the integration of the facility into the waterfront. In the new design any access to the waterfront  is nonexistent.

IMPORTANT: Public Hearing for Saugerties Partition Street Project

Partition Street Project Public Hearing

Date: Mon, Oct 26, 2009
Contact: Mary Frank
Phone: 845-246-2321 x1
Email: mfrank@villageofsaugerties.org
Description
Time: 7 p.m.

Description:

The Village of Saugerties Planning Board will receive comment on the proposed Partition Street Project, located at the former Cantine Mill premises. The project involves a catering hall, restaurant, hotel, parking, infrastructure, lighting improvements and landscaping.

Senior Citizens Center, Market Street.

Cantine Dam in Saugerties Village using Photosynth

A different perspective of Cantine Dam with images stitched together using Photosynth by Microsoft. You have to download photosynth player to view. Get it. It's very cool.

Saugerties Partition Street Project is Alive!

Without fan fare or hype, the postponed Partition Street Project seems to be alive and well again. Saugerties Village Planning Board held their Wednesday meeting this evening at 7:00PM with Tom Struzzieri, principal partner of Saugerties Partition Street Project in attendance. The hired architect for the convention center and hotel project presented the Planning Board with a two-dimensional drawing of the buildings' facade. Though little details were discussed [or questions asked], the planning board expressed their approval with favorable comments regarding the color drawing.

Other than Mr. Struzzieri's entourage, the meeting seemed void of many of the concerned citizens that prior meetings attracted. Let's hope that the promised "public meetings" will be announced soon before the project is finished.