A look at the 2 proposals the city of Poughkeepsie got for Southern waterfront property
The city of Poughkeepsie received two proposals for the redevelopment of its prized waterfront property after it sent out a request for interest three months ago.
Both proposals for the 13.4-acre Delaval site located just south of Mid-Hudson Bridge were from local developers, one of whom the city had paid roughly a million dollars to exit the project after his family had held development rights for over two decades.
Joseph A. Bonura Jr., managing partner for Southern Waterfront Development LLC, proposed a plan that was similar in many ways to one he had proposed back in 2018. That plan was challenged by the city's Common Council and resulted in a lawsuit. This version shows a waterfront promenade, a mix of commercial space and market-rate apartments to the north and park space that's split up by a six-story residential building.
Chai Developers LLC, under Bernard "Berry" Kohn, located in the city, proposed a city-owned park and a paved pathway running the full length of the shore and bookended by a 12-story hotel and conference center to south and a "Market Hall," boathouse, shops and offices to the north.
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"Despite the failed attempts in the past we believe now is the time to make this project happen," Bonura said in his proposal.
Mayor Marc Nelson, who spearheaded this search, had previously made it known that he wants to select a developer by this summer or early fall.
“We are grateful to the developers who have stepped up and have expressed interest in this key project,” said Nelson in a release. “This site has been dormant for far too long and is an essential parcel to create a seamless waterfront that connects destinations along the city’s Hudson shore.”
While consensus from the community has been to preserve the waterfront and open it for use, officials have differed on how and when to do that, and what to build around it that would also generate revenue. City administration, in the past, has supported the idea of a residential component to the development, which was the wedge separating the Common Council and Bonura.
Some who worked on the Southern Waterfront Redevelopment Task Force and also on the request for expressions of interest document, or RFEI, that was sent out in February were dismayed when Nelson replaced the city's planner prior to extending the deadline for proposals. The RFEI describes what the city was looking for in terms redeveloping the property.
"I'm very concerned that (Bonura is) interested in coming back into the project when he has not done anything for so many years," said Joan Mandle, who was part of the waterfront taskforce and worked on the RFEI. She is also a resident of the Riverview Drive community near the property. Bonura's father was made the preferred developer of the property in 2001.
"The task force rejected the idea of putting commercial and apartments and lots of structures on the property," Mandle said, adding that a survey they had done showed that while residents didn't like the idea of a hotel on the property either, they were less inclined towards housing.
Mandle has not been informed about the process by which the developer will be decided or who will be making that decision.
The city is seeking public comment on both proposals by June 7 after which it will decide on how to proceed. Comments can be sent to development@cityofpoughkeepsie.com. The RFEI may lead to a request for proposals or the city may decide to award development rights to either Bonura or Chai Developers.
What are the proposals?
Both projects are similar in that they call for open park space, a promenade, plenty of parking, public restrooms and building structures. Where they differ are the placement and usage of the buildings and how much of the property will be left open for public use.
Kohn's proposal placed the commercial buildings at opposite ends of the property, leaving the view of the Hudson River open for those who live above the property. The 12-story hotel with 136 rooms, spa, rooftop bar, a restaurant and event space, sits at the southern-most end of the property. The three-story commercial space, at the north end, will house a boathouse, a market hall with eateries and shops, and offices.
Other projects Chai Developers have worked on include 160 Union Street where they converted a former school building into a residential property. The developers also own the Italian Center property in the city.
"This directly responds to the City’s desire to maintain as much of the Hudson River viewshed for existing commercial and residential properties located to the east and slightly above the property, while still allowing commercial concentration at economically feasible levels," explained the Chai Developers' proposal. Only 10% of the overall site would be used up by the buildings.
Bonura's proposal calls for a six-story residential building with 110 units on what he describes as the "south end" that divides the open space. On one side of the building will be an amphitheatre and the other side will hold a farmers market craft fair. The commercial space will have a top floor of residential units. There is also a public pool.
Other projects Bonura has worked on include the WaterClub Luxury Living apartments, Shadows on the Hudson and the Grandview, all of which are near the Delaval property. He has also worked on the Residences at West Hills, luxury apartments in Middletown.
Last year, the city approved a settlement with Bonura, in which he is being paid roughly a million dollars for work he already put into the property. He was also made operator of a marina located at Rinaldi Boulevard for up to 20 years and given use of the DeLaval site for dock storage.
In return, Bonura discontinued his legal action, in which he was seeking to recoup millions invested in the site and surrounding properties, and relinquished his legal claim to the site.
Saba Ali: Sali1@poughkeepsiejournal.com: 845-451-4518: @MsSabaAli.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Poughkeepsie gets two proposals for its Southern waterfront property
