Nyack, Riverspace to Team Up For Superblock; Mayor Apprehensive About Possible Parking Garage

The Village of Nyack and Riverspace have agreed to partner for the , an effort to overhaul Nyack's downtown.

The Superblock project aims to revitalize 3.7 acres in the village's center that are currently underutilized—ideally, the undertaking would transform the Riverspace theater and surrounding land into some combination of retail and living space and an arts center. (Read the possible options .)

Village officials voted on the partnership Wednesday night, authorizing a that lays out the preliminary roles of both groups. The MOU notes Riverspace will fund the $200,000 account for pre-development costs, help fundraise $2 million for an arts center and work to acquire the portions of the 3.7 acres that are privately owned.

The village board voted 4-1 to enter the agreement, with mayor Richard Kavesh the only one opposed.

"It's just about the toughest vote I've ever had to make," Kavesh said. "But I think it will inevitably lead to a parking garage behind Depew Aveue." Kavesh noted the garage would violate the village's master plan and impose on Nyack's neediest residents.

Four of the five possible redevelopment plans require a parking garage with about 200 spaces, even though Nyack's master plan refers to a garage as "expensive" and "draconian." And though the plans do not stipulate where exactly the garage would be placed, Kavesh fears it may be adjacent to the low-income homes.

"A garage's cost is also unfeasible," Kavesh added, noting the likely $7-9 million price tag is something taxpayers cannot afford.

Kavesh instead proposed a "Superbuilding" at the Riverspace site rather than an entire Superblock. "I don't see the need to redevelop the entire block," he said. In the past, the village has also taken steps to improve parking—like re-striping existing areas.

Nyack trustee Steve Knowlton took opposition to Kavesh's opinion.

"I respect your views and principals, but respectfully ask you change your vote," he said. "I'm personally, professionally and profoundly disappointed you would put your personal view before experts'."

"There's nothing on that site right now," Knowlton added. "There's no parking garage, no five-story building, no arts center—but there's a huge amount of potential." Knowlton said signing the MOU and eventually putting the project out to bid is the only way to see if it is feasible and in Nyack's best interest.

Community members packed the meeting room and sounded off on the project, mainly voicing support.

"We're taking a baby-step," noted Josh Goldberg, a member of Riverspace's board of directors. "[The process] sounds like a lot of work, and it will be. But we're testing a great idea."

Elliot Forrest, who formerly served as an artistic director with Riverspace, lauded the partnership and believes Riverspace is up to the challenge. He also stressed the infancy of the project, and the lack of a concrete timeline.

"The shovel will hit the dirt sometime between one year and ten years from now," he said.

Joanne Saunders, a Nyack resident, spoke out against the Superblock on behalf on Nyack Plaza.

"This will entail a lot of craziness and pollution—Nyack is already on the map," she said. "Many people in [Nyack Plaza] are upset and alarmed by this."

Trustees dedicated a portion of the evening to detailing the next steps in the process. Village officials will issue a Request for Express of Interest (RFEI) to see if private entities are interested in becoming involved. The RFEI would garner responses by mid-July.

Other aspects of the process include working with professional planners, putting together a tentative budget and carrying out multiple environmental studies—like determining how the Superblock would affect air quality, traffic and quality of life.

"The process to redevelop public areas can take years," noted trustee Doug Foster.