Simon Property Group, the nationwide real estate operator based in Indianapolis, is moving ahead with plans for additional development at its Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley. After completing the fourth phase of expansion at Woodbury Common in 2017 Simon presented a concept for Phase Five. It initially called for adding about 140,000 square feet of retail space, two hotels, additional restaurants, a helipad, a spa and a new parking garage.
Phase Five plans subsequently have been fine-tuned and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement was submitted to the Village of Woodbury’s Planning Board at its Sept. 20 meeting. Simon is seeking amended site plan and special permit approvals and an architectural review. It says that no adverse zoning or land use impacts are anticipated as a result of the new development.
Under Phase Five, Simon wants to add 132,299 square feet of new retail and restaurant space along with 22,950 square feet of infill retail space. There would be one new hotel with approximately 200 rooms, a reduction in room count from the 240 rooms that would have been in the two hotels in the original concept. A new five-story parking garage would have 3,060 spaces. There currently are 6,668 spaces at Woodbury Common. There would be 20,554 gross square feet of storage space added for tenant use. Enhanced amenities would include a pedestrian-focused design with additional walkways, improved crosswalks and enhancements to help people find their way around. A new children’s play area would be created and there would be additional landscaping.
The 132,299 square feet of new restaurant and retail space and 20,544 of new tenant storage space would be created in an area to be known as the Niagara Region. It would be built on what now is a surface parking area.
Woodbury Common currently employs up to 5,000 people full-time and part-time during peak shopping seasons. It has a current gross leasable area of 912,676 square feet on its 150 acres. There are more than 250 stores and restaurants in operation.
Simon says that the economic impact of the Phase Five development would include annual tax benefits of more than $20 million, with New York state receiving an estimated $8,001,672, Orange County receiving an estimated $8,162,254, the Monroe-Woodbury School District receiving an estimated $2,049,219 and the Town of Woodbury receiving an estimated $520,234.
Simon forecasts that the Phase five development would result in the creation of more than 3,000 jobs, many of them on-site but some indirect as a result of increased economic activity spurred by the expansion. Simon says there would be 770 additional full-time and part-time jobs created on-site. It estimates on-site construction jobs as totaling 1,659.
Simon says that construction of the hotel would take 16 months and it would take 14 months to build the Niagara Region retail and storage area. The new parking facility would take 18 months to build.
According to David Mistretta, who is general manager at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, “This visionary proposal will further energize Woodbury Common, Orange County and the entire Hudson Valley as a world-class shopping and tourism destination that is so crucial to the region’s economic success today and in the future.”
Woodbury Town Supervisor Thomas Burke praised Woodbury Common, saying it “has exponentially advanced quality of life in the Town of Woodbury through its economic firepower and deep involvement in our community.” He welcomed the review of Simon’s submission.
Village of Woodbury Mayor Andrew Giacomazza praised Woodbury common as offering a premier, unique shopping experience.
“This plan seeks to strengthen that brand advantage and power an even greater future,” Giacomazza said. “The Village of Woodbury looks forward to learning more about how this exciting proposal can benefit our residents, businesses and tax base.”
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus has already come out in support of the development plan saying, “Woodbury Common’s improvements will benefit Orange County communities and our tourism industry for years to come. We’re grateful that since Day 1, Woodbury Common has been a great neighbor, created numerous entry level and career path jobs and been a major driver of both sales tax revenue and regional economic opportunity.”
