City of Poughkeepsie holds off on DeLaval site development
City officials say they are not moving on two submissions to develop the 14-acre property until a new mayor and staff take office next year.
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The City of Poughkeepsie is holding off on development of a prime riverfront spot that has been blocked off for years.
The DeLaval site is named for the company that was set up in the area for about 100 years until it was shut down in 1990.
City officials say they are not moving on two submissions to develop the 14-acre property until a new mayor and staff take office next year.
There have been legal battles about what to do with the property over the last 15 years. It has involved city staff, the City Council and developers.
One of those developers was Joe Bonura, Jr. who owns the restaurant just north of the property. He originally planned for more retail space, but then tried to go more residential and the deal never got done.
In his most recent proposal, Bonura said he wants to start fresh. He wants to build 110 apartments, two pools and some retail space.
The other proposal from Chai Developers includes a hotel, a park and fishing stations.
But this is all on hold now.
Outgoing Mayor Marc Nelson said to truly start fresh this should all be handled by whoever the next mayor is. Elections for mayor and council will be held this November, and the winners take office in January of 2024.
Nelson said in a statement, "After careful consideration, we believe it is best to wait and provide an opportunity to allow the next administration to proceed with the project in a manner they deem most appropriate."
That new administration's going to be led by Republican Anthony Larocca or Democrat Yvonne Flowers, who beat Nelson in the June primary.
The DeLaval site has been blocked off for at least the last six years. It's going to stay that way for possibly another year or longer.
