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Five organizations vying for the right to create a redevelopment plan for part of the Hudson River waterfront in Tarrytown.
The village has published a Request for Qualification / Request for Interest (RFQ / RFI) document to begin the process of selecting a developer “for the preparation of a redevelopment plan, on a dedicated village park which is currently used by the Washington Irving Boat Club (WIBC).
The RFQ / RFI, which had a response deadline of September 22, launched a process that aims to have the village select one or more finalists who would be invited next year to submit a formal proposal to do something with the waterfront property.
The 238 Green Street site consists of approximately 6.1 acres, of which 3.6 acres are underwater. The land and underwater parts of the site belong to the village. The WIBC and the Sunset Cove Restaurant operated there through a rental agreement. Both suffered damage from Hurricanes Irene and Sandy. Repairs have been made, but the village would like to see the current structures replaced with improvements that would improve flood mitigation.
The village said it was not interested in residential development on the site because it was a park and was looking for something that would be a tourist attraction. He suggested “restaurants, a marina, docks, bike rentals, kayak rentals, etc.” Creativity in the response and previous work will be highly taken into account. “
The five RFQ / RFI responses that were received included one from the WIBC itself, which wants to be able to continue operating on the site. Development heavyweight National Resources, which is based in Greenwich and said it has successfully redeveloped more than $ 1 billion in projects through public / private partnerships, said it “is particularly good placed to undertake this waterfront project “.
National Resources has already developed the Port of Hudson, a short walk from the proposed development site. Hudson Harbor is a $ 230 million mixed-use project with 300 residential units and 50,000 square feet of commercial, retail and restaurant space.
The company said it would like to see a Hudson Valley Gateway visitor center on the Tarrytown waterfront that will feature exhibits on historical and environmental topics related to the Hudson River and the Valley of the ‘Hudson. He said the visitor center could be supported by a dock and jetty with about 7,500 square feet of restaurants and food services.
He further stated that he would be willing to partner with the WIBC which included a shared services agreement with the neighboring Tarrytown Boat & Yacht Club.
Other expressions of interest in managing the redevelopment project came from: Pier 115 Group, a team of Piermont developers who built waterfront catering, bar and entertainment operations; NK Bhandari Architecture and Engineering of Syracuse; and Barley House Restaurant Group, which owns the Barley on the Hudson restaurant and bar at the Tarrytown Boat & Yacht Club.
When word spread that the village was beginning a process that could lead to the redevelopment of the WIBC site, a movement began to rally support for the yacht club. An online petition began circulating calling on the village to keep the WIBC in place.
“The village of Tarrytown wants to close the yacht club and turn it into a tourist attraction,” the petition says. “Three generations and friends have built and maintained this public park with their own money and without a single dime of Tarrytown taxpayer dollars.”
As of October 5, the petition had 1,615 signatures.
WIBC’s response to the RFQ / RFI envisioned changes that included: the creation of a Hudson River Environmental Education Center; the installation of new landscaping; complete additional renovations to the existing restaurant building after $ 300,000 in renovations that took place this year; adding a stage for entertainment; remove certain structures to create more green spaces; and the extension of the Scenic Hudson Riverwalk.
WIBC suggested that the current size of the marina be maintained, with a covered area potentially created for boat storage during the winter. WIBC noted that the marina’s mooring spaces are fully leased, that public access to water is provided, and that many residents continue to visit the site and the restaurant.
The Pier 115 Group said its overall vision included integrating the public park and marina with a state-of-the-art restaurant and banquet hall accessible to the public.
The Barley House Restaurant Group said it would beautify the park while adding a brewery and restaurant as well as an improved kayak launch pad and marina.
NK Bhandari provided information on his staff and the projects they have been involved in along the Hudson River and into China.
In the RFQ / RFI, Tarrytown said the idea of ​​redeveloping the site into a regional tourist attraction would be consistent with other developments that have taken place along its waterfront so far during this century. He pointed out that only 20 years ago the waterfront was dominated by industrial properties such as an asphalt plant and an Anchor Motor freight facility, whose trucks carried vehicles that had been produced at the General Motors plant.
“The village is looking for creative approaches to the redevelopment of the property,†said RFQ / RFI. “Public access along the waterfront, not just for clients or clients, is a top priority in long-term plans for this site.”
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