Rockland County Executive Ed Day underscored the importance of the Palisades Mall in West Nyack to economic activity in the county during his 2023 State of the County Address. A foreclosure action has been filed by Wilmington Trust in the wake of the mall”™s owners, EklecCo and Pyramid Management Group based in Syracuse failing to make timely payments on a $418.5 million mortgage.
“Regardless about how one feels about the Palisades Center Mall, it is a major tax revenue driver for the Town of Clarkstown, the school districts and the County of Rockland,” Day said. “According to the most recent economic study from New York state, tourism generated $422 million in direct sales within Rockland, saving the average household $556 dollars in yearly taxes to make up that revenue. As one of our premier tourist destinations we know the Palisades Center is one of the major attractions bringing in that outside revenue. We understand the gravity of the situation as it has been reported. Rest assured families we will take every action necessary to ensure as best as we can (to) minimize impact should anything not go well with that particular situation.”
Day delivered his address in the chambers of the Rockland County Legislature on March 8. He declared that Rockland is now in a strong position.
“When I was first elected as your county executive in 2014, we were the most fiscally stressed county in all of New York with a $138-million deficit,” Day said. “We”™ve literally transformed this county from worst to first, ranking us one of New York”™s seven fiscally strongest counties.”
Day said that recent county accomplishments include:
- Increased funding to non-profits;
- Continuing to waive bus fare for riders since early in the pandemic;
- Distributing $3 million to agencies providing services to seniors;
- Infrastructure improvements;
- Equipping school buses with stop-arm cameras to catch motorists who fail to stop for a stopped school bus;
- No property tax increase two years in a row;
- Repeal of the energy tax, equivalent to an 8.4% county property tax cut, saving families $12 million annually;
- Opting into New York state bills to expand property tax deductions for seniors and give volunteer first responders property tax deductions;
- Awarding $278,000 in Tourism Grants to 29 organizations.
Day noted that Rockland is hosting its first-ever Housing Forum on April 21 with representatives of developers, lenders, and government agencies strategizing on how to overcome Rockland”™s housing challenges.
“This is an issue close to my heart because I firmly believe safe and affordable housing is a human right; one that should not be limited to those at the highest income brackets,” Day said. “I call on my partners in government and our county legislators to work with me and my administration to knock down these financial barriers for our families once and for all.”
Day quoted the late U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell as saying, “There are no secrets for success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and most of all learning from failure.” Day credited the country legislature along with all county employees for the country”™s success.
“Without a doubt the road at times has been rocky, but we have worked together to get this done,” Day said. “To all of our employees, I want you to know how much I value your dedication, commitment to mission and serving the people of Rockland County. Thanks to our collective hard work, the state of our county is stronger than ever before.”
