Keiser property plan advances

Brewery, restaurant, gardens and more

By Manor Ink Staff

Livingston Manor, NY – Representatives of Livingston Legacy Holdings, the property management company for the Keiser Redevelopment Project, were on hand Wednesday, Jan. 23, for an informational meeting hosted by the Town of Rockland Planning Board. The project entails a complex to be built on the former site of the Keiser Food Equipment Co. on Pleasant Street in the hamlet.

Board Chairwoman Jennifer Grossman invited members of the community to respond to a thorough presentation about the project, still in its early stage. She made assurances that when the project application is completed, it will go through the normal channels for review and approvals, and that there will be a formal public hearing.

As currently conceived, the project will repurpose 11 existing buildings centered around a sake brewery and tasting room on the 4.9-acre site, and a Japanese restaurant to be housed in an old stone building. Pathways and gardens will connect the buildings and will create attractive views for people using the complex. About 3.25 of the 4.9 acres will be converted to permeable surface, removing existing asphalt.

“The concept emerged as the vision of Bon Yagi, a resident of Lew Beach and New York City. He wants to leave something wonderful behind for this community,” said the realtor who sold the Keiser property to Yagi. “It’s very personal for him.”

Other renovations include converting one building located along the proposed O&W Rail Trail as a welcome center. There will also be an open market, retail shops and public restrooms.

Across Pleasant Street, an existing house will be repurposed as a home for staff. Also across the street will be a Japanese-style hotel with five guest rooms. The largest single building on the site is to be a convention center.

Community members present raised concerns about the location of proposed parking for the complex, mostly related to congestion on Main and Pleasant Streets. Discussion generated multiple ideas for how some of the buildings might best be used to benefit the community.

Chairwoman Grossman agreed to compile practical ideas from members of the community and to share these with the project developers. Finally, great interest was expressed in the future of homemade soba noodles that will be a feature of the restaurant.