Developer RPA Associates is looking to move forward with a condominium development known as Fishkill Landing along the Hudson River in Fishkill that also would result in creating a waterfront park for the town. The developer has an association with AVR Realty Company located at One Executive Plaza in Yonkers. AVR was founded by Allan V. Rose and is a leading private real estate development, investment, and management firm. Its portfolio includes properties in 20 states and more than 70 cities. Properties include hotels, multifamily buildings, retail centers and office buildings.
RPA has been lining up support for building a road system and bridge over the Metro-North railroad tracks that would allow access to the project’s site fronting the Hudson on the west side of the tracks.
RPA would build 116 condominium units in four buildings on the north end of property that would include 7.5 acres for the condominium complex, 10 acres that would be used as a town park and 100 acres that are underwater. The buildings would be two-and-one-half and three stories in height. The 10 acres of parkland and the underwater acreage would be dedicated to the Town of Fishkill.
Metro-North has closed the at-grade crossing that had provided access to the waterfront land, and the developer is asking that the grade crossing be restored for emergency use.
Thomas Perna of RPA said that the company has been building in Fishkill for 20 or 25 years.
“We’ve been meeting with the town for some time with the idea of developing the waterfront,” Perna said. “I think it’s a great project because the town benefits, we benefit, but at the same time I want to tell you that it’s not a typical project. Doing research we found that the railroad has an obligation under a 1929 covenant to have a bridge at a specific location. To get to that specific location we have to go through property we don’t own. The other big factor why the project never came to fruition 10 or 15 years ago is the requirement for a bridge to be built across the MTA tracks.”
Perna said that there likely would be some environmental remediation needed since the property previously had been occupied by a brickyard and also had oil tanks on it.
Perna said he anticipated that there would be opposition to the project from people who previously have opposed construction along the Hudson.
“The town gets water access by a bridge being built over the tracks, and a half-mile road system, and a public road going over the tracks, going into our property, 10 acres of waterfront property with all utilities.
The developer has suggested that the town park could include a public boat launch ramp and a paddle-sport access pier to afford residents a variety of water-based recreational opportunities. Restrooms with showers and public parking would be incorporated into the design of the park and a Riverfront Esplanade walkway would allow visitors to experience the waterfront.
“We’ve applied for state grants to build the bridge,” Perna said. “We’ve met with state officials. The project is being recommended for state grants. As we build the project starting with the bridge, the road and the bridge, we would make application on behalf of the town for state grants for construction of the park. What we have now is a concept plan.”
Letters of support for the project and bridge funding have been sent to New York state by Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil, Town of Fishkill Supervisor Ozzy Albra, State Assemblyman Anil Beephan and State Sen. Robert Rolison.
“Currently, there is no waterfront access in the Town of Fishkill. Therefore, a vehicle and pedestrian bridge would provide the residents of the town an amenity enjoyed by every other community along the Hudson River in Dutchess County,” O’Neil said in his letter to Hope Knight, president and CEO of Empire State Development. “RPA LLC has been developing much-needed housing in the region for more than 20 years. This project will compliment and facilitate RPA’s latest residential development, and its final parcel in the Town of Fishkill.”
Rolison wrote, “Located just 60 miles north of New York City, Fishkill provides a tranquil and pleasant mix of residential, commercial and office space, surrounded by the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson Valley. However, currently, Fishkill does not have public access to the Hudson River. Moreover, due to a high increase of new residents as a result of Covid-19, additional access to more residential buildings, green space, and waterfront access are vital.”
Perna said that formal applications soon will be submitted to the Town of Fishkill and its Planning Board.
