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RateSeeley asks for patience as village economy grows
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| Catskill Village President Vincent Seeley addressed the Senior Citizen Fellowship in Catskill Thursday. He updated them on various projects in the Village. Susan Campriello/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers |
Village president tells seniors outlook is bright, but improvement will take time
By Susan Campriello
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
CATSKILL — Catskill Village President Vincent Seeley addressed the Senior Citizen Fellowship Thursday at the Rip Van Winkle Senior Citizen Center highlighting some continuing and upcoming projects around the Village.
Seeley discussed the Main Street Revitalization Plan, new housing opportunities and the urgent care facility being constructed off of Grandview Avenue.
If fully realized, the Main Street Revitalization plan could bring new restaurants and other attractions to the banks of the Catskill Creek, Seeley said.
Seeley said the plan will be funded by private business and property owners who make investments to their holdings and through them, to the Village. Seeley said the owners would be encouraged to follow lighting and landscaping guidelines.
“It is not going to happen overnight and we are going to use as little public money as we can,” he said.
Seeley announced the first sale of a unit in Union Mills Lofts and said that a local developer was interested in resuming stalled work on converting the Irving School into an apartment complex. He touted the decision to rent apartment in the building rather than sell condominiums there because rentals yield higher tax revenues than condominiums.
Seeley said a plan to construct 77 ranch-style homes off of Cauterskill Avenue could attract 77 new families to the area. These residents, he said, will shop in Catskill but also utilize the Village’s resources.
Several seniors nodded in approval when Seeley announced that an urgent care facility was scheduled to open by the end of the year.
He fielded questions about the facility, saying that open hours would be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. but more could been added to fit the community’s needs. The facility will serve anyone in Greene County or the surrounding area, not just Catskill residents, he said.
He updated the group on repair work to sewer and water lines underneath William Street, saying the roadway would be paved soon. He warned of an upcoming line work to under Main Street near the base of Thompson Street. This work, he said, would separate bathroom sewer lines from those carrying rainwater and runoff.
Those in attendance expressed their concerns over recent graffiti recently sprayed around the Village.
Bill Ramsey said the graffiti reminded him of why he left Queens.
Seeley said he agreed that the graffiti damage detracted from the community and the pride people have in the community.
“You have to have respect for other people’s property,” he said.
He announced that police had arrested minor graffiti writers and were working to stop more graffiti from.
Fellowship President Ernie Harris suggested that printing the names of juvenile offenders in the newspaper might deter future offenders from tagging buildings and signs.
Seeley also addressed recent business closures and stalled business openings. He said would-be entrepreneurs may be discouraged from leaving a job to start a new venture during the current economic uncertainty.
He said vacant storefronts may remain empty until next year but he was hopeful that new businesses would again become fixtures in Catskill.
“In Catskill we go through these cycles where everybody moves in and then it dies off,” he said.
To reach reporter Susan Campriello, call (518) 943-2100, ext. 3333, or e-mail scampriello@thedailymail.net.
Seeley discussed the Main Street Revitalization Plan, new housing opportunities and the urgent care facility being constructed off of Grandview Avenue.
If fully realized, the Main Street Revitalization plan could bring new restaurants and other attractions to the banks of the Catskill Creek, Seeley said.
Seeley said the plan will be funded by private business and property owners who make investments to their holdings and through them, to the Village. Seeley said the owners would be encouraged to follow lighting and landscaping guidelines.
“It is not going to happen overnight and we are going to use as little public money as we can,” he said.
Seeley announced the first sale of a unit in Union Mills Lofts and said that a local developer was interested in resuming stalled work on converting the Irving School into an apartment complex. He touted the decision to rent apartment in the building rather than sell condominiums there because rentals yield higher tax revenues than condominiums.
Seeley said a plan to construct 77 ranch-style homes off of Cauterskill Avenue could attract 77 new families to the area. These residents, he said, will shop in Catskill but also utilize the Village’s resources.
Several seniors nodded in approval when Seeley announced that an urgent care facility was scheduled to open by the end of the year.
He fielded questions about the facility, saying that open hours would be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. but more could been added to fit the community’s needs. The facility will serve anyone in Greene County or the surrounding area, not just Catskill residents, he said.
He updated the group on repair work to sewer and water lines underneath William Street, saying the roadway would be paved soon. He warned of an upcoming line work to under Main Street near the base of Thompson Street. This work, he said, would separate bathroom sewer lines from those carrying rainwater and runoff.
Those in attendance expressed their concerns over recent graffiti recently sprayed around the Village.
Bill Ramsey said the graffiti reminded him of why he left Queens.
Seeley said he agreed that the graffiti damage detracted from the community and the pride people have in the community.
“You have to have respect for other people’s property,” he said.
He announced that police had arrested minor graffiti writers and were working to stop more graffiti from.
Fellowship President Ernie Harris suggested that printing the names of juvenile offenders in the newspaper might deter future offenders from tagging buildings and signs.
Seeley also addressed recent business closures and stalled business openings. He said would-be entrepreneurs may be discouraged from leaving a job to start a new venture during the current economic uncertainty.
He said vacant storefronts may remain empty until next year but he was hopeful that new businesses would again become fixtures in Catskill.
“In Catskill we go through these cycles where everybody moves in and then it dies off,” he said.
To reach reporter Susan Campriello, call (518) 943-2100, ext. 3333, or e-mail scampriello@thedailymail.net.
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