Hayworth defends VA facilities
U.S. Rep. Nan Hayworth, R-19th District, was in Buchanan Aug. 5 alongside a number of state and town officials to renew her promise to fight to keep the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Montrose and Castle Point campuses intact.
Just before Congress left Washington for its August recess, Hayworth introduced a bill to ban the VA from leasing portions of the two campuses to developers to build residential housing.
“This is about honoring a commitment,” Hayworth said. “We”™ve made a commitment to our seniors and we”™ve made a commitment to our veterans.”
In 2008, the VA proposed leasing 160 of the Montrose facility”™s 172 acres in hopes of generating revenue for veterans”™ programs. Hayworth said that to her knowledge the VA has not signed any lease agreement, but added, “The threat is there.”
Hayworth will need to find co-sponsors and supporters. When Congress returns, the bill will proceed before the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans”™ Affairs. The bill does not contain any funding measures and only includes language that would remove the possibility of leases involving the Montrose or Castle Point campuses.
State Assemblyman Robert Castelli, R,C-89th District, said Hayworth”™s bill is “critical to protect the VA hospital here (in Montrose) and in Castle Point.”
Board OKs Children”™s Museum lease
The Westchester County Board of Legislators on Aug. 8 unanimously approved a 10-year lease agreement for the Westchester Children”™s Museum for the north wing of the bathhouse at Rye Playland.
Under terms of the lease, the museum will occupy some 21,390 square feet and make $6,441,300 in interior and exterior renovations in exchange for an annual rent of $1.
As of June, the museum had raised more than $8 million and organizers say nearly 200,000 visitors are expected each year. Parking revenue generated by museum visitors will go to the county.
In previous conversations with the Business Journal, museum Executive Director Tracy Kay estimated the museum would directly and indirectly generate as much as $4 million in annual revenue for the county.
