Possibilities for Newburgh’s waterfront

By Chuck Stewart, Jr.

(Newburgh) - Last Tuesday night, 5-year-old-Jasmine attended the first in a week long series of charrette’s that ended last night. Her mother brought her to Newburgh Free Academy to hear Andres Duany and others from Leyland Alliance describe the charrette process and how 30 acres along the Hudson River could be developed.

Leyland Alliance, the master developer, was chosen to lead the development after demonstrating their ability to create a plan for the future of Newburgh’s waterfront district.

Jasmine listened as the developer, architects and planners described what went wrong in Newburgh during the last 50 years. How suburbs were a complete failure and what he and his team have done in other cities like Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina.

An hour into the discussion Jasmine was fast asleep. But her mom was still very attentive listening to what City of Newburgh officials and residents hope to see as a “vibrant new mixed-use neighborhood emerge from this public-private initiative.”
Duany said, “The goal here is to create a place in which people can live, work, learn and play - a place in which retail, office and residential buildings are interspersed with civic structures, public parks and squares for all to enjoy.”

As the charrette’s continued throughout the week, a vision for the neighborhood, and for future development throughout Newburgh’s waterfront district began to emerge. On Saturday, possible designs were presented to the public during a “pin up presentation.” Chris White of Congressman Maurice Hinchey’s office said the developers should look closely at the Congressman’s work on a proposed light rail line that would connect the city’s waterfront to Stewart International Airport in New Windsor.
The main designs focused on affordable housing, open space, restaurants, and rental units.

Mayor Nick Valentine said during the Saturday charrette that he feels that the developer is on the same page as the people of the city in terms of the designs.

The best prospective plans for the site were presented Tuesday evening at the last public input meeting. The developer will now begin work on a presentation for the city council, which will include a full site plan and cost, that they will deliver in the next few months.

Pictured Above: Senator William Larkin addresses the audience during Satuday’s charrette.