South Nyack Could Lose Six Homes to New Tappan Zee Bridge
If the new span follows the current draft guidelines, six homes and a handful of other properties would be swept up by the state
Photos
Several South Nyack homes could be swept up by the state if the new Tappan Zee Bridge project adheres to the current plan.
According to the recently released Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)—a tentative blueprint for building the new span—six South Nyack homes would be eliminated, their owners relocated and reimbursed. The properties are:
- 21 Cornelison Avenue (Two-family home)
- 78 Smith Avenue
- 306 South Broadway
- 317 South Broadway
- 319 South Broadway
- 321 South Broadway
Also in the planned bridge's path, but not pictured on the above photo, are a garage structure and green space on Smith Avenue, and green space on South Broadway. Some properties may also have easements placed on them, meaning the state would temporarily take control for construction activities, but later return them.
In total, just over six acres of South Nyack land would be eaten up. Tallied together, the properties have a worth of about $4.4 million, according to state officials.
The DEIS describes the acquisitions as a situation where, "[a] parcel is transferred to the New York State Thruway right-of-way, pursuant to applicable state and federal regulations, thereby dissolving its private ownership and potentially requiring relocation of the existing land use."
State officials, if the plan goes on as planned, would value the properties and give residents "the fair market value of the property to be acquired and the monetary damages, if any, to the remaining property," the DEIS continues.
Residents who do not agree on the amount offered may file a claim with the New York State Court of Claims.
Local taxes would be affected, too. Here is what the affected properties contributed in 2011:
- $213,348 in total Nyack school taxes (including taxes for the Nyack Union Free School District and for Nyack Library)
- $64,195 to the Village of South Nyack
- $9,400 to the Town of Orangetown
- $54,956 to Rockland County and "other" taxing entities, including Nyack Ambulance District, Nyack Joint Fire District, Orangetown Sewer Operation and Maintenance, Orangetown Sewer Debt Service, County Solid Waste, and County Transfer Facility.
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To learn more about the DEIS, and how South Nyack residents and officials are reacting, click here.
Scotty
4:39 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Sorry but the article should read..."will" lose rather than "could." That's what happens when we trust our state to do the right thing. I bet a million to one that not one person entrusted with making that decision lives in Rockland let alone Nyack. Bet.
Ruby Frae
7:46 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Scotty, Your absolutely right I,m sure they don't live in Rockland, and I'm sure all those that are in favor,don't live close enough to be affected by the construction noise and lost of property value
E. Loughran
8:47 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Those houses have wreathes on the doors & are decorated with Christmas lights......these are not just houses.....they're HOMES! it's heart-breaking!
Tanja Wisner
8:56 am on Monday, February 6, 2012
The garage structure on Smith Ave actually belongs to my 2-family home on 21 Cornelison. Our home once sat next to the garage but was moved to it's current location facing North when the existing TZ bridge was being constructed. Our property stretches from Cornelison Ave South to Smith Ave.
Seamus
10:51 am on Monday, February 6, 2012
You do a great Christmas Display as well as other holidays! I always look forward to it each year!
mcccmar
10:55 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
my parents lost their first home at 70 Hillside avenue to the construction of the current bridge - I live right by the thruway wall on clinton - NOT thrilled over the noise etc that will be coming my way - can we all SAY enough of eminent domain ???? While my home is not on the list - it is not fair that the state can just opt to take anyones property - if thats the case let the state start paying our mortgages
elizabeth
7:58 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
According to "Riverkeeper," a new bridge is not at all necessary. Repairs to the current bridge would be a much more cost effective, and environmentally friendly option. The new bridge is a political mechanism, so some politicians could boast about creating jobs.
Bridget
11:58 am on Friday, March 2, 2012
Too bad about the homes. Excellent graphics!
Alan
1:38 pm on Friday, March 2, 2012
Why don t they use the village hall property on broadway for tha staging area
And build a new village hall&police station on the corner of Franklin& Clinton and save the houses
Ann
6:55 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
I agree w. E Loughran. It struck me too, that these looked like homes that owners cared for. I wonder, since I'm fr. Westchester, are they going to take some homes or condos in Tarrytown too?
Ann
6:56 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
updates please
Nick and Loretta McCaley
3:48 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Nick and Loretta
My family and I moved into our home on Smith Avenue about eight years ago. We accepted the fact that we were near the Thruway but had no idea about the amount of pollutants that were associated with the bridge traffic.
We did not expect that a new bridge would be built closer to our property, nor did we expect that we would be part of a five year construction project, which will no doubt increase the amount of pollutants in the air, but also diminish our property value.
We're not opposed to progress, but would hope that the government would pay as much attention to our plight as it does to the enviornmental impact that the new bridge will have on the fish and wildlife in or near the river.