Last Monday’s Common Council meeting began with a series of presentations aimed toward improving the City of Poughkeepsie.
“The Born Learning Trail would be a visible symbol of this community’s commitment to children and families,” said Anne M. Beaulieu, of United Way of Dutchess County, about a children’s trail planned for Wayras Park.
Beaulieu, the president and CEO, and Director of Community Impact Jennifer Lange, attended the April 7 meeting to petition the council for support of the project.
The trail is expected to be constructed at the park between the pavilion and the skate park. It would stretch 250 feet and consist of plastic signs posted along the walkway, with activities encouraging parents to interact with their children. The project, which has been implemented in other cities, such as Colombus, Ohio and Evansville, Ind., aims to help parents help their children reach developmental milestones.
“This project can be done and we’d like your support to begin work with the parks department,” said Beaulieu.
MVP Health Care has donated a nearly $3,000 grant to get the project under way.
Creek work
Jen Rubbo, of the city-based environmental group Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, discussed a $50,000 state grant application to aid in the improvement of the Fallkill Creek. Rubbo, the Fallkill Watershed Coordinator for the group, said the grant would come from the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Environmental Justice program.
The focus of the funds would be to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of creating a recreational walkway along the creek in the Mount Carmel area. A portion of the grant monies would go toward cleaning up the creek, through what Rubbo hopes would be a week-long community celebration.
The watershed, which includes the city and town of Poughkeepsie, as well as Hyde Park, Pleasant Valley and Clinton, has been a concern for years. According to Rubbo, the contaminated water directly affects the Hudson River – the main source for the City of Poughkeepsie’s drinking water.
The walkway would provide recreation along the creek, as well as educational signage. Planted vegetative buffers would provide natural filtration for the waterway.
“The Fallkill is a real important resource to the city, and it is in need of attention. It has a lot of potential,” said Council Chairman Brian Doyle (D-4th Ward).
Thomas Parise (R-1st Ward) agreed; “I can’t wait to get started on this project, it’s been a long-time coming,” he said.
The council unanimously supported Clearwater’s application for the grant.
DeLaval progress
Joseph Bonura Jr., of Poughkeepsie Waterfront Development, L.L.C., updated the council at the meeting on the progress at the former DeLaval site, and discussed changes to the marina the company plans to construct.
Bonura, along with his father and brother, have been working on the project with the City of Poughkeepsie since 2001, and cleanup has just gotten under way.
The 13.4-acre parcel along the city’s southern waterfront – formerly a milk factory – was nearly covered with buildings at one time. The site is expected to house four mixed-use buildings, which will include retail, restaurant, office space and a spa, as well as a walkway along the water’s edge, with fishing stations, a snack shop, public restrooms, kayak and canoe rentals, a large boat dock and a marina. The site is also expected to include three green spaces for community events, and a museum facility or educational center.
The marina, which is expected to cost $1.7 million to construct, was originally slated to include 50 50-foot transient slips. Instead, the Bonuras have decided to construct a 99-slip mixed marina, which will include 75 seasonal slips, and 25 transient slips.
According to Bonura, there is no change to the construction of the marina, which will actually take up less space, because under the new plans, the slip sizes will vary.
We’re not looking to make money on the marina,” said Bonura, “but you have to have a marina on a waterfront project – otherwise it just wouldn’t make sense.”
Bonura hopes that the marina will be completed in time for next year’s quadricentennial event.
Recycling plans
Beginning on April 7, the City of Poughkeepsie Sanitation Division began collecting corrugated cardboard with newsprint.
“It’s that time of year and the attention needs to be given to our city streets – especially in the areas where cleanup needs to take place,” said Mayor John Tkazyik.
The preparation for corrugated cardboard remains the same – it should be flattened, cut into three-foot lengths, bundled and placed at the curb for pick-up.
For the city, recycling is free, and Tkazyik is hopeful that the change will help bolster the city’s recycling rate.
“Each city resident has the ability to help lower the city’s cost of providing sanitation service simply by recycling,” he said.
The council also defeated a resolution concerning the sale of two Route 9 properties to Andrew Tkazyik Jr., the mayor’s father. According to Property Development Director Karen Lewis, the rocky and vacant land-locked properties have not been on the city’s tax rolls since 1980. Tkazyik offered to pay $3,000 for both lots – half of their combined assessed value. He planned to merge the two Dutchess Avenue lots with his existing properties for the possible expansion of parking for his restaurant, Andy’s Place.