While President and CEO Jonathan Drapkin has nothing but praise for Pattern for Progress”™ landlord ”“ the think tank is located at the Desmond campus of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh ”“ the new head of the nine-county organization has his eye on lower Broadway.
The possible move comes as Pattern prepares to host a much-anticipated address by Anthony Shorris, president of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Nov. 1, the day after the Port Authority is expected to take control of Stewart International Airport.
Pattern specifically has its relocation sights set on Richard Polich”™s former Yellow Bird Art Gallery with its seagull”™s-eye view of the Hudson River and the Newburgh waterfront.
“We are very happy in our current location, the college is wonderful,” says Drapkin. “But it would be great to have a real storefront type of presence in Newburgh, right in the heart of the waterfront community.”
Pattern will host Shorris at 6 p.m. at Anthony”™s Pier 9 in New Windsor.
Drapkin expects a turnout of at least 500 people, saying, “Because we are a multi-county organization, there is a lot of opportunity for the business and community leaders to gather for a common purpose ”¦ we are also changing our usual ”˜bill of fare”™ ”“ instead of a traditional sit-down dinner, we will have extended networking with a buffet. Then, awards will be given out and our keynote speaker, Anthony Shorris, will take place during a dessert and coffee sit-down.”
This year, Pattern”™s award recipients  include Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. for economic development; Columbia-Greene Community College, which has successfully “bridged the Hudson River to demonstrate the power of regional cooperation,” according to Pattern; and Rural Ulster Preservation Corporation in Kingston and Community Preservation Corporation in Hawthorne will be recognized with Pattern”™s Quality of Life Award.
A lifetime-achievement award will be given to Constantine Sidamon Eristoff, an environmental attorney who resides in New York City and Highland Falls. He is a former Pattern board member who served for several years with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Shorris is expected to speak on the Port Authority”™s new role in the Hudson Valley and plans for expansion of the airport.
For more information, contact Robin DeGroat at 565-4900.
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