Visions of a coordinated waterfront development for Railroad Avenue and South Water Street were displayed to the 85 Peekskill residents and business owners who came to the Neighborhood Center on Sept. 6 to meet and greet developers and members of the city’s Planning Department.
The event featured poster boards with three dimensional schematics of proposed buildings, layouts of streetscapes and opportunities for the public to comment on the specific projects using sticky notes.
The City of Peekskill solicited “expressions of interest” for mixed-use development at three publicly-owned sites around the Metro-North station. One site is the lot across from the train station at the corner of Requa Street and Railroad Avenue. Two additional sites are on South Water Street, next to and across the street from the building that formerly housed the Peekskill Brewery.
In its request for proposals from developers the city noted development should contribute to a cohesive district that is forward facing yet sensitive to the existing historic character. The Waterfront Architecture Vision document envisions a vibrant mix of historic and contemporary buildings enhancing one another.
In order for the development to come to fruition, three main areas of planning and work supporting one another are needed to revitalize the area: a public realm plan, environmental review and development proposals.
The developers who were present at Saturday’s open house were receiving input from the public on their proposals. They have all started examining the scope of the cumulative environmental impact of their projects and they are in the design phases of the development proposals. The two developers who were on hand Saturday are Ginsburg Development Companies (GDC) and TEM, a partnership of three companies: Thorobird Companies, Exact Capital Group and Make Made Architects. A third developer, M Squared, was not present at the Open House because it is not far enough in the planning process, according to Carol Samol, Peekskill’s planning director.
Peekskill residents are familiar with Ginsburg Development’s interest in the lot across from the train station during the past few years, when it has appeared before the Common Council. GDC is proposing residential buildings on Railroad Avenue and South Street with commercial space on Railroad Avenue.
TEM Partners is proposing a boutique hotel, run by Hilton Tapestry, in the commuter parking lot adjacent to the former Peekskill Brewery on South Water Street. Thomas Campbell, a principal at one of the partners, Thorobird Companies, spoke with residents about the need for a hotel in the area, explaining how there is a shortage of local hotel rooms. The proposed 125-room hotel will have a ground level restaurant and galleries, a rooftop bar & pool, an event space for 175 to 350 people, a gym and spa.
A hallmark of the Hilton Tapestry collection is the local-influenced design. Gary Bates, founder of Make Made, architects of the project, explained how each of the hotel’s buildings are designed to face a different direction, allowing for river views. Parking for hotel guests would be underground in what could be called a “bathtub” due to the water table and proximity to the Hudson River.
The proposed boutique hotel would be free-standing so visitors could walk behind it to view the mural arches under Route 9.
Another group at the Open House was Partners in Public Design, a company that will work with the developers to create a unified vision of the Station Plaza area. The display boards for visitors to comment on and discuss were focused on Railroad Avenue.
Partners in Public Design had questions for visitors to evaluate the use of the station area. People were asked to consider such questions as: how often do you come to the station? and why?, how often do you come to the waterfrnt? and why?, what would you like to see in a new station plaza?, what would you like to see in the streets. What else would you like to see down here? more public art? more seating? more trees? more plantings? other?, if you are a commuter what would you like to see here?, if you are not a commuter what would bring you down here? what areas do not currently work and why? how could they be improved? others?
A representative from BFJ Planning, Emily Tolbert, was available to answer questions and discuss the cumulative environmental impact of the development for the waterfront district.
Residents milled around the displays and spoke with city planning staffers and developers. Tatiana Coronel and Steven Forte, who moved to the new apartment building on Brown Street in March, were there because they wanted to learn more about shuttle services from the train to downtown.
They originally didn’t own a car when they moved to Peekskill but now have one because of a job change for Steven. Stephanie walks to the train station every day and they are concerned about lighting around Railroad and Hudson avenues.
The city planning department takes the information collected at the Open House and compiles comments.
