Boutique hotel project in Cornwall awarded $1.2 million state grant
The project, submitted by 2 Girls, 1 Boy Holdings LLC, proposes a 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant at the site of a former gas station and, more recently, Bernicker Dodge.
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The landscape of downtown Cornwall could soon look very different if plans for a boutique hotel and restaurant are approved.
The project, submitted by 2 Girls, 1 Boy Holdings LLC, proposes a 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant at the site of a former gas station and, more recently, Bernicker Dodge. Renderings show a five-story building with architectural design elements - including pillars and balconies, to hopefully fit the look of Main Street, while revitalizing it with a fresh twist.
MORE: Empire State Development grant recipients
“We are talking about taking an abandoned, forlorn, former gas station and putting in an $8 million hotel,” says the owner’s attorney, Bart Lansky.
The plans just got a huge boost from the state with a $1.2 million Empire State Development Grant.
“We are very proud, and we think it’s a good use of governmental funds,” says Lansky. “Bringing people downtown will help local businesses. It will help the other tourism initiatives.”
The project doesn’t have the final permits to proceed just yet but appears to be closer than ever to approval. Town Supervisor Josh Wojehowski he’s hopeful the process will be finalized by the town soon, despite mixed reaction from members of the quiet, bedroom community.
“I don’t want Cornwall to be Beacon. I want Cornwall to be Cornwall and we’re going to do it in our own way,” says Wojehowski.
Many residents support the project, but others have expressed concerns with parking and said other projects like housing for families and seniors should be a priority.
“We need more workforce housing, senior housing, apartment housing,” Wojehowski says. “We also need to keep Main Street alive and to bring in more foot traffic. We can do both.”
The hotel and restaurant are expected to bring in tourists, jobs, new business, and money. Officials expect nearly $1 million in tax revenue, compared to roughly $12,000 that’s on the books for the site now.
“If we want to do something to alleviate the tax burden, somebody has to execute a plan and that’s what we’re doing,” Wojehowski says.
Officials say construction on the project could begin as soon as soon as next year and be finished by 2025.
