The City of Peekskill is looking to revitalize some of its long vacant properties.
The Peekskill Business Improvement District (BID) held its annual meeting at Dramatic Hall on Tuesday, March 4.
Director of Planning Carol Samol provided an update on department efforts related to vacant properties; the Momentum award; and the branding and marketing plan for projects financed through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI).
The Department of Planning & Development’s first focus in revitalizing vacant properties is some of the landmark buildings downtown, including Children’s Village and the Ford Piano building, as well as a stretch of properties along Division Street that are vacant for various reasons.
“The development climate right now is quite difficult,” Samol said. “Interest rates are quite high and the unsure nature of things happening at the federal level mean that some developers are really reconsidering and stepping back and taking a pause until things settle down.”
Samol shared that 201 North Division Street is in the process of public approvals, a traffic study and a ground floor program with the developer. A portion of the former Rite Aid store at the Crossroads Shopping Center is being transformed into a 24-hour health club.
At both the BID meeting and the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce meeting on Thursday, March 6, city officials said that the 181 apartment units at 1 Park Place are 100 percent leased. According to the leasing agent, however, it is at roughly 80 percent leased.
(City of Peekskill)
Samol also spoke on the Momentum project, a $10 million award from the Empire State Development that the city is matching and invests in essential infrastructure to support housing. Those investments include the James Street and Nelson Avenue parking garages as well as streetscape improvements.
The city also is preparing to install wayfinding signage in the spring; begin work with Trajectory Brands, Inc. to design Peekskill’s logo and brand; and transform the Peekskill gazebo into an expanded plaza space.
Business Improvement District touts achievements, looks ahead
Peekskill BID Executive Director Bill Powers provided the BID’s annual report, highlighting past accomplishments and announcing plans for 2025.
Some accomplishments from 2024 include launching a shuttle service with stops including the train station, Fleischmann Pier and downtown;, installing a Harriet Tubman statue and holding a descendants of Harriet Tubman event; posting brief profiles on its website about BID member businesses; holding historic walking tours; and generating letters of support for city grant applications.
Powers shared that the Peekskill Flea Market expanded operations to 38 weeks, from March to December, attracting an average of 2,000 people on Sundays; doubling income over 2023 from vendor fees, which covered the entire cost of the shuttle service.
The Farmers Market operated 26 weeks, from June to November, attracting 600 to 1,000 people on Saturdays, with 33 vendors, including 10 new vendors. The market had 11 community partners; located forever homes for 12 dogs with Paw Safe Animal Rescue; and had a surprise visit by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“The fresh produce sales at the market were up 10 percent last year,” Powers said. “Vendor sales, however, were down 20 percent and that’s primarily due to the economy and inflation.”
Other accomplishments cited by Powers included grand openings and ribbon-cuttings (such as Fleischmann Pier); serving the Spanish speaking community; holding $25,000 worth of events in downtown; and working with the city to send letters for code enforcement on issues like trash collection.
The BID recorded revenue of $193,054 in 2024, with the Farmers Market yielding $29,656, the Flea Market $62,060 and tax assessment $100,000. Total expenses were $185,512, with $7,500 allocated for BID’s reserve fund.
Plans for 2025 include seeking new vendors for the Farmers Market; expanding and including new stops for 2025 shuttle service; helping to install better parking signage at garages; moving overflow Flea Market vendors to the Park Street parking lot from the Bank Street lot; and helping coordinate the city’s participation in the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
