Brewster Mayor and County Executive Announce Phase I of Brewster Revitalization

Massive Transit Oriented Development Seeks to Bring Back Millennials and Brewster’s Distinction as Hub of Harlem Valley

At a press conference last Thursday, January 5th, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell and Village of Brewster Mayor James Schoenig with Covington Development, LLC, principal, Harold Lepler, announced details on the implementation of Phase I of a multiphase Transit Oriented Development (TOD)project  designed to revitalize the Village of Brewster.  The initial construction phase is supported in part by a recently awarded $2M Empire State Development Grant.

“The Empire State Development grant of $2 million dollars has been provided to support Putnam County and the Village of Brewster’s joint efforts over the past few years to revitalize downtown Brewster,” said County Executive MaryEllen Odell.  “This is a priority economic growth initiative that will spur population growth and vitality in the community by attracting millennials, which will in turn attract businesses and jobs, ultimately bringing Brewster back to its 19th century distinction as the hub of the Harlem Valley.”

The funding will offset the costs for acquisition, demolition and to begin construction in Phase I of multiple phases of reconstruction along the Village’s Main Street corridor.  For Phase I, a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is proposed to be built in the area bounded by Main Street, Railroad Avenue, Marvin Avenue and the Southeast Museum.  Construction, which is expected to begin in late 2018, entails a shared subsurface parking structure for up to 550 cars, with mixed-use buildings above and built around a central open space plaza. The buildings will provide approximately 290 apartments and 32,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. 

“This long-term revitalization initiative creates economic value for the entire Village and greater Brewster area, said Mayor Schoenig. “The TOD is part of our plan to attract and retain millennials in Putnam County, giving them attractive live-work-play surroundings and easy access to Grand Central Station via commuter rail.”

According to Schoenig, the development is currently funded through grants and or private sources. “There will be no outlay of funds by the Village.”

According to Harold Lepler, prinicipal, Covington Development LLC , the master developer for the Brewster Revitalization effort , Phase I of the TOD project is expected to revitalize an economically distressed community, create new jobs and a higher quality of life for village residents, improve tourism and improve regional economic opportunities  by turning the Village of Brewster into a place where people want to live, work and play.

 

B
Submitted by Brewster, NY

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next