While most people are trying to figure out what to do with the kids this summer, developer Martin Ginsburg is already planning well ahead for his “baby”™s” birthday. That”™s when the Hudson River tallies the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson”™s voyage, and Ginsburg plans to have his Haverstraw waterfront ready to party hearty.   Â
Ginsburg has a slew of projects under his belt after 40 years in the industry, and plenty more in the hopper. He”™s not just keen on the “sale-ability” of the waterfront, when it comes to the Hudson River, he is an ardent history buff. To be sure, there”™s money to be made on homes with a water view, but Ginsburg the history lover would also like to be part of the Hudson River renaissance. It will come complete with the hustle and bustle that flourished along its banks in the 19th and early 20th centuries with lots of 21st-century amenities.
He”™s focusing his energy on getting Harbors at Haverstraw ready for the celebration. There is currently a sculpture park partially in place, and Ginsburg says it will be completed on time for the 400-year anniversary, as will the 1.5-mile-long promenade along the shore.Â
Working with McLaren Engineering in Nyack, Ginsburg says the docks and ferry also will be ready, as well as a parking garage for 450 cars.
“We are going to have the parking garage up for the ferry and piers, and the restaurants will be open, too,” said Ginsburg. Manhattan restaurateur “Buzzy” O”™Keeffe will be lending his name to one of them. Ginsburg lays out his plans with such assuredness, it seems unlikely they won”™t happen unless a tsunami hits. “McLaren”™s been a pleasure to deal with and their work is top-notch. One of the restaurants, Civili”™s, is already open for business. “Buzzy” is one of the best restaurateurs in New York City. He”™s got conceptual plans to renovate his restaurant, as well. I have no doubt we”™ll be not only spectacular but on time.”
Ginsburg”™s 10-year commitment to the build-out of a total 850 units at Harbors will eventually incorporate a “major New York City museum on the property ”¦ but I”™m not saying which one,” he said. “But we are working on a deal to bring a museum here.”
He”™s also working with Tilcon Cement, Harbor”™s next-door neighbor, to buy additional property south of the project.
“We”™d like to create an estuary park and part of our plan is to have a cable car go up to the top of the mountain, tying into Long Path, which connects into the Appalachian Trail.”
For Ginsburg, who has a portfolio of successful projects, Haverstraw seems to be one that generates a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. “It”™s not just the waterfront revitalization ”“ and we are fortunate that Haverstraw has a waterfront master plan in place ”“ it”™s also the ability to bring people and excitement to the Hudson.” While Ginsburg says Harbors”™ waterfront housing is not going to be on the “affordable” list, he is wasting no time in helping the village of Haverstraw renovate its infrastructure. In the final analysis, Ginsburg said revitalizing the infrastructure does a lot more for a community than offering a few homes ”¦ and nothing else.
“Haverstraw was once a booming seaport,” said Ginsburg. “We have an affordable-housing project going on in the town and have done a number of small-scale, affordable-housing projects within the community, and that”™s just the beginning.” Ginsburg says the Great Depression took the wind out of Haverstraw”™s sails, and it never fully recovered. “That was bad, but it was also good,” said Ginsburg. “As a result of its decline, much of its pre-war charm remained. It wasn”™t torn down in the postwar building boom. Most of the architecture that remains has a lot of charm, and we”™re building on that. It”™s a village with tremendous potential.”
To Ginsburg, it makes more sense rebuilding existing infrastructure than to offer a few units at “affordable” prices. “In the final analysis, the entire community benefits,” he said. “Rockland Community College has opened an annex downtown. The chamber of commerce has been great, and they are working with us to build the town back up. It is going to be a great place to live again. It”™s already getting there.”   Â
What about global warming? Is Ginsburg concerned that Harbors and other GDC waterfront projects will be inundated by a rising river amidst dire predictions from conservationists? “I doubt it will affect us too readily,” said Ginsburg. “Look at Holland””they are below the water level, and they have figured out a way to deal with it. Our projects are built above the flood plain.” Should global warming rears its ugly head, Ginsburg predicts there will be “a lot of dyke-building going on all along the Hudson. They”™ll have to do it. We aren”™t going to let another New Orleans happen here.”
Ginsburg has almost completely sold out at Hudson Pointe in the city of Poughkeepsie. “That was a project where we could have built midrise buildings,” said Ginsburg. “We decided to do a relatively low townhome density. We just felt it would be right for the location.” While other properties are languishing on the market, the demand for waterfront property hasn”™t seemed to wane. “We are 90 percent sold out. Six more units will be built, and they are the ”˜Last of the Mohicans”™ so to speak. When they are gone, that will be it for that project,” Ginsburg said. That is, until he”™s ready to tackle the next property that appears on the banks of the river Henry Hudson lent his name to.
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