Five years ago, ambitious plans for a conference center and platinum LEED-certified hotel, known as the Long Dock Beacon project, was garnering attention. But the downturn in the economy left developer Matt Rudikoff and his partners in a holding pattern.
But there is some good news for Beacon. Scenic Hudson, will begin moving ahead with the Beacon Point park project at the same site as Long Dock, said Steve Rosenberg, the nonprofit”™s senior vice president. The $8.5 million waterfront park has been on the drawing board for nearly a decade and work has already remediated some of the former industrial land for public use.
Among the plans for the new park is the creation of a fishing pier and docking for boaters, as well as a promenade that will connect the two walking paths that now exist on either side of the seven-acre parcel. Kiosks for vendors, as well as bathrooms, are part of the proposed plan. The former junkyard”™s old trading house has been totally renovated on its exterior. Rosenberg said the interior will be completed, offering both kayak and canoe storage. “We also hope to find someone willing to teach building kayaks and canoes and bring children into the mix so they can learn about boat building as well.”
Rosenberg said Scenic Hudson plans for the park to be open to the public by 2010.
“The economy has hit everyone hard, and we are hopeful that Matt (Rudikoff) and his partners will be able to secure the final pieces of funding needed to get the hotel and conference center built.” If plans come to fruition, it will be Beacon”™s first hotel and conference center.
“We”™re all waiting for the economy to pick up,” he said. “For now, we are going to do our part in getting the park project completed and open for public use.”
