Hudson Harbor Moving Ahead Despite Economy

http://www.lohud.com/article/20090301/NEWS02/903010331/1018/NEWS02

Tarrytown riverfront project keeps flowing

STACY A. ANDERSON

TARRYTOWN - Despite the economic downturn in the housing market, construction continues at Hudson Harbor, a mixed-use development between the Hudson River and the village train station.

The Connecticut-based developer National Resources is building 238 residential units, 65,000 square feet of commercial space and 15,000 square feet for retail on 24 acres along West Main Street. The dwelling space consists of 130 one- and two-bedroom lofts and 108 two- and three-bedroom townhouses.

National Resources is also constructing an aquatic and recreation center and a waterfront park with a promenade along the river.

The developer has removed an old asphalt plant from the site, built an addition to the Tarrytown Senior Center and will contribute $1 million toward the new Village Hall, completed last year.

The project, first presented to the village in 2003, has been scaled down over the years after community objections. The neighboring village of Sleepy Hollow and Roseland Properties, then developers of the nearby former General Motors site, filed a lawsuit against Tarrytown in 2004, claiming the plans to relocate the asphalt plant on the northwest part of the property would cause environmental harm.

Scenic Hudson, an environmental group, also objected to keeping the industrial plant on the site and a proposal to construct buildings that would block public use of the waterfront.

With suggestions from Tarrytown and Scenic Hudson, the developers adapted the plans. Hudson Harbor also adhered to building-height limits of 45 feet for pitched roofs and 42 feet for flat roofs, relocated the sites for the new Village Hall and recreation center, eliminated the asphalt plant from the site, enhanced public access to the waterfront park and preserved key views of the Hudson.

"We believe this is a model project for other communities," said Jeffrey Anzevino, Scenic Hudson assistant director of land-use advocacy. Anzevino said the buildings will be no more than four stories, and are scaled for the neighborhood. He said the project will include plenty of parks and will use energy-efficient building techniques such as geothermal heating.

The village granted site approval three years ago, and National Resources began construction last year. President Joseph Cotter said Phase I - 36 townhouses, 20 lofts, the clubhouse, pool and retail space, including two restaurants - will be complete by April.

Reach Stacy A. Anderson at 914-694-5080 or sanderso1@lohud.com.