Park Point New Paltz proposal addressed at second public hearing
Public comment period extended to Nov. 26
NEW PALTZ – The Town of New Paltz Planning Board staged its second public hearing last night on the proposed Park Point New Paltz living community at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz and extended the public comment period to Nov. 26.
Students, local residents, college officials and business owners spoke publicly in support of Park Point New Paltz, which will be a 732-bed purpose built student and faculty housing community located on 42 acres adjacent to the campus. In conjunction with the SUNY New Paltz Foundation, Rochester developer Wilmorite hopes to secure final approvals early next year and to complete the first phase of the project by August 2014.
“Wilmorite is fully committed to building a project that exceeds expectations. These public hearings have been very constructive and productive, ” we are pleased the project continues to move forward and no new issues emerged at tonight’s public hearing,” said Tom George, Wilmorite’s Director of Business Development.
Original concept plans were submitted to the Town in November of 2010 and have been under review by the Planning Board since January, 2011.Park Point would allow SUNY New Paltz to address its pressing need for safe apartment style housing adjacent to the campus.
“The College’s ability to attract outstanding students in the future will rely on our ability to offer them the opportunity of a residential college experience,” said College President Donald P. Christian. “This is the right project at the right time for SUNY New Paltz.”
Total project development costs are estimated between $45 million and $50 million. Construction of Park Point will bring an estimated 215 jobs with a one-time impact of $12 million in earnings. The annual economic impact is expected to create almost $4 million in local sales, 10 new jobs, and over $400,000 in wages in the town and village annually, adding to the college’s annual overall impact of $338 million in the Hudson Valley.
Further details on Park Point are available at www.newpaltz.edu/parkpoint or www.parkpointnewpaltz.com
ABOUT WILMORITE: Wilmorite is a leading commercial real estate development and management company based in Rochester, N.Y. A family-owned business with more than six decades of experience, the company has a reputation as one of America’s top builders, construction managers, and property managers. Wilmorite has built over 5,000 student beds for colleges and universities throughout New York State and currently owns and operates 1,200 student beds at Rochester Institute of Technology and Syracuse University.