A Beach Road Makeover: Haverstraw

Bart — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:50:43 +0000

I sat down today to write about how so many things have changed in North Rockland in the past 20 years, and I realized that the one place that hasn’t changed is Beach Road in Haverstraw. I think it’s time has finally come.

Beach Road has become a weekly and sometimes daily destination for many local residents, especially in summer. Boaters, fishermen, kayakers, jet skiers, park walkers, and eagle watchers all spend big chunks of time down by the river. Hundreds of people visit local restaurants in North Rockland every weekend, and it seems like they all drive along the river on the way in or out. Just like 100 years ago when the swim clubs co- existed with the brick yards, nothing ever changes down by the river. If you have a way to get down there on a hot sunny day, then you wont leave until the sun goes down. And if you give people something to do, who knows how busy it would be.

Knowing full well that Mr Phillips has long talked about reclaiming big chunks of this unincorporated section of the Town, it’s not his fault that the Mirant deal went south, that the real estate market tanked and half the Town is lining up for a re assessment. But what could happen, and I think what should happen, is that we as a community step up and make something happen down here.

Some are sure to ask why now is the time to makeover Beach Road. The extortionist in me says that if United Water wants to site a water plant down there, tear up a mile of road, and drag us into a pissing match with outfits like Clearwater, than the least they can do is help Howard clean up a few acres of scrub. But that’s not what I was thinking. I was thinking more of a community commitment to this project, up to and including applying for grants and funding for remediation where environmental issues exist and lease agreements with property holders in exchange for public use. I’m talking about new and innovative recreational business models, much like the Rotella golf course and Haverstraw Marina were 30 years ago, that would draw business and seasonal jobs to the area, while improving the aesthetics of this 21st century road to the dump.

Ball fields for one hold true to this vision. Although many leagues pay and play at our local school yards, there is yet another level of leagues who would play and pay dearly if the facilities consisted of a little more than a rusty 55 gallon drum chained to the backstop. Restrooms, snack bars, lighting, and lockers cost little to maintain yet bring big revenue on game day, which is every day in the leagues. MiniGolf courses, which today is nothing like most have ever seen, bring high tech bells and whistles to a game that is for all ages. Plain old fields, where you can hold carnivals, car shows, flower shows or boat shows. All serviced by a centralized snack bar and comfort station, all right next to the marina, the county park, and all those fishing spots.

There’s no doubt that today is the day we need to start thinking of new and innovative ways to develop the riverfront corridor in the Town of Haverstraw. A project like this would bring needed jobs to our high school kids and give them a little something to do on a Saturday night. It would draw new people to the area, boost revenue in local business, and give our leagues and organizations the facilities and parking they need to have a top notch event, down by the river. Not only that, the Town might make a buck or two and clean up one of the nicer part’s of the Town.

Rockland County Route 108:Cooperation in North Rockland

Bart — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:37:41 +0000

You really have to hand it to the Rockland County Highway Department and the New York State Department of Transportation. If you take a little ride along County Road 108 in North Rockland, you will see a widening and improvement project that has been planned in anticipation of, instead of reaction to, the Route 9W bridge replacement.

After an emergency closure and repair of the 9W bridge in Stony Point last summer, the Beach Road/Route 108 detour was a key to relieving most of the 9W congestion. Stony Point Town officials asked for assistance as temporary closures forced traffic onto Lowland Hill, East and West Main Streets in Stony Point, and onto otherwise local routes.

As plans for a Route 9W closure and a full-time detour via Route 108 for the eventual bridge replacement came together, the RC Highway and NYS DOT sat down and planned this rehab project. The various improvements being made now will make a world of difference to those who regularly travel this riverfront and commercial corridor. When the replacement project starts, now scheduled for Spring of 2009, the road should be ready for the added volume and larger sized trucks that are sure to use the road. Its good to see the County Highway Department and NYS DOT have combined forces and committed to widening and improving this busy North Rockland route and getting it done before we need it.

Funding for the improvements, which come at a time when funding is scarce, are borne mainly by the New York State DOT, and rightfully so. The Farley Bridge is a major DOT problem here in the Hudson Valley, and they need to get this right. The rehab includes a widening of turns, improvements in lines of sight, guardrails, drainage, and signage that is sure to improve safety.

You have to give a big hand to Skip Vezzetti at the RC Highway Department and Sandra Jobson of New York State DOT for taking this job on. As I have said here on many occasions, these major public works jobs need to be managed in an intelligent and cooperative manner and from the looks of it, the James A Farley Bridge job has gotten off to an excellent start. Thanks to all involved.

Editors Note: The bridge bids are in. Assuming they award to the lowest bidder.

The Bank Corner » Beach Road

A Beach Road Makeover: Haverstraw

Rockland County Route 108:Cooperation in North Rockland