Camp LaGuardia’s purchase finalized

The Orange County Legislature inked its final deal with Mountco Construction Co. of Scarsdale to buy the 260-acre parcel that formerly housed 1,100 homeless men in the town of Chester. Camp LaGuardia was bought by the county two years ago for $8.5 million, with several developers vying for development rights.

Mountco proposed a mixed-use development of single-family homes, a walkable town center with stores and living quarters above them, an affordable housing component and enough space to open a satellite for Mount St. Mary College of Newburgh.

According to the terms of the agreement finalized on Friday, April 3, Mountco will pay the county between a minimum of $9.5 to a maximum of $12 million. The final sales price will be determined by the amount of land available for construction of Mountco”™s project.  

Some legislators balked at Mountco”™s $100,000 down payment until its plans are finalized and approved. If the process takes longer, another $100,000 will be given to Orange County.  Long-time Legislator Alan Seidman, R-Salisbury Mills, called the agreement between the company’s owner, Joel Mounty, and the county “reasonable,” saying the developer must plan and get approvals from the towns of Chester and Blooming Grove, as well as the village of Chester, which has a sliver of the property and also supplies its water.

The camp, which had been in existence since the 1950s, was a constant source of irritation for police, homeowners and local businesses. Since the departure of Camp LaGuardia”™s residents and its accompanying problems, the downtown section of the village of Chester has blossomed into a destination for shoppers and families.