Town awarded $4.5M in NY Forward funds

New committee to dispense awards

By Kat Slattery and Manor Ink Staff

Town of Rockland, NY – Livingston Manor has hit it big with the award of a $4.5 million grant from the NY Forward grant program, monies to be used to fund various projects, including new commercial spaces and housing, the Riverwalk, new and extended sidewalks and lighting, EV charging stations and other civic improvements.

Town of Rockland Supervisor Rob Eggleton and Russell Budd, recreational engineer and consultant to the town, sat down with Manor Ink to break down the exciting news. “This award will benefit our entire community by providing needed public improvements to make our town more liveable, walkable and beautiful,” Eggleton said. “And it will help ensure workers and aspiring artists can live here.”

Funding sidewalks and other projects

The state grant will help to fund both municipal and private projects that will bring civic improvements throughout the hamlet by restoring and adding new sidewalks, up Main Street to the Dollar General store and down Pearl Street to Old Rte. 17, so that the Garnet medical clinic, businesses and residences may be safely accessed on foot.

Some of the funds will be used for the Riverwalk project behind businesses on Main Street, allowing it to tie into the planned Catskill Arts Space Sculpture Garden. Improvements to Renaissance Park will also be funded by the grant.

Livingston Legacy, the development group behind the sake brewery and Japanese-style hotel and restaurant to be built on the old Keiser property on Pleasant Street, may also tap in to funds. That may help with some of the group’s initiatives, such as the site’s planned public garden and parking area with EV charging stations near the existing laundromat.

New housing to be created

Eggleton was particularly enthused that some of the award will also be available for three new housing projects in the Manor. The Catskills Community Land Trust, which has plans to construct two affordable housing units on Meadow Street, will be one recipient. But plans for two larger complexes were also included in the town’s grant application. Kama Carnes, owner of the old Manor school building on Rock Avenue, has plans to redevelop the building with 25 units that will combine commercial spaces and rental units, flexible art studios, retail shops, shared work spaces and kitchen, a rooftop garden and an expansive front lawn that will host seasonal events and markets.

“We have worked closely with Supervisor Eggleton, Code Officer Glenn Gabbard and Russell Budd over many years, and they are integral to the town’s growth and this important award, and are extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with them in this next chapter for the former schoolhouse,” said Carnes.

In addition, the owners of the vacant commercial lot on upper Main Street between Upstream Wines and the Stumble Out restaurant have undertaken a feasibility study for a building to contain up to eleven apartments above two or three commercial spaces.

The next step is for the town to form a committee of at least 12 interested individuals to work with NY State to review, approve and administer each project award. Public and nonprofit projects are 100-percent fundable, while private sector projects require a 25-percent match by the developer.