$63M Fishkill Commerce Center proposed

Scannell Properties, which is based in Indianapolis, is proposing to build what is has named the Fishkill Commerce Center on a 62.5-acre parcel of land at 387 U.S. Route 9 in Fishkill. The property has been used as the Fishkill Golf Course and Driving Range, which has operated on the site since 1989.

The proposed development would consist of a 388,800-square-foot warehouse and distribution center that would have 70 loading docks, 81 tractor trailer parking spaces and 221 employee vehicle parking spaces. The existing golf course includes a clubhouse with a restaurant and additional support structures that would be demolished.

According to the developer, access to the new facility would be via the existing driveway connecting to U.S. 9. The site is within the Town of Fishkill’s Planned Industry Zoning District.

Founded in 1990, Scannell Properties is a privately-owned real estate development and investment company, focusing on build-to-suit and speculative projects throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. In the U.S. it has completed 305 projects for specific clients and built 198 projects on spec. Its real estate developments include manufacturing plants, truck terminals, distribution warehouses, data centers, cold storage facilities and e-commerce fulfillment centers. It has developed more than four-million square feet of real estate in Upstate New York. Scannell’s clients include FedEx, Walmart, Home Depot, Amazon and General Electric.

Scannell says that the proposed Fishkill project would cost approximately $63 million and create from 200 to 250 jobs. It hopes to begin construction in the second quarter of next year and have the facility operational in the first quarter of 2026.

Attorney Jennifer Gray of the White Plains-based law firm Keane & Beane, that is representing Scannell before the Town of Fishkill, said that the developer is seeking site plan approval along with a request for a freshwater wetlands permit, floodplain development permit and a request for a reduction in the parking requirement. Gray said that when she appeared before the town representing a warehouse project for the adjacent property that formerly was home to the Dutchess Mall they sought a reduction in required off-street parking and that the demand for off-street parking for the Fishkill Commerce Center project would be similarly less.

Gray said that because the disturbance area for Scannell’s project exceeds 10 acres and the gross floor area exceeds 100,000 square feet the project is a Type I action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. She noted that a full environmental assessment form was prepared along with an environmental assessment report that has various studies such as for stormwater and traffic impacts.

“We believe that this is a good location for this particular development,” Gray said. “It is consistent with the zoning code. It’s sort of tucked behind that former Dutchess Mall property. This being a kind of southern gateway to the town as you come up Route 9 we think there will be minimal visual impacts to that southern gateway. We’re aware that there is a good amount of wetlands on the property but the project has been carefully designed to avoid those wetlands and their buffers.”

Gray pointed out that the development would increase the town’s tax base and provide employment opportunities.