Poughkeepsie waterfront advisory committee reviews LWRP projects as state edits remain under review

The Poughkeepsie Waterfront Advisory Committee on Feb. 5 reviewed Section 4 projects in the city's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program and discussed next steps while state edits to the LWRP remain under review.

Committee Chair Mike Young said the city has "received some edits from the Department of State, and they're still under review," noting state approval would make projects eligible for matching grant funds under the LWRP program.

Why it matters: state approval of the LWRP would expand regulatory coverage and unlock grant eligibility for waterfront projects, potentially enabling investments in trails, public facilities, shoreline stabilization and other work the committee has carried in plans dating to the 1990s and the city's 2015 waterfront redevelopment strategy.

Committee members discussed a broad list of 21 projects carried in the draft LWRP. Several recurring themes emerged: improving connectivity along the riverfront (including a Cowrock connector and a trail through the former De Laval site), more and better public restrooms at park sites, small and low-cost performance or event infrastructure, expanded boating access and targeted shoreline stabilization and floodwall work along the Fallkill tributary.

Mark Galante, a committee member, urged attention to low-cost improvements that would increase use of the riverfront and Main Street businesses, saying, "I think Poughkeepsie has even more potential than any other river town," and listing restrooms, small performance areas and better event infrastructure as near-term steps.

Committee members and staff walked through specific items in Section 4: connectivity across the city's riverfront including the Cowrock connector and a proposed walk through/development around the former De Laval site (the De Laval frontage includes deeded parkland and a pedestrian tunnel under the rail line); restoration of or new public restroom facilities at Juarez Park and Cowrock; a youth opportunity site (the former YMCA site now owned by the county, where demolition has been completed); boating access and a feasibility concept for a deep-water docking area on the southern waterfront; and Fallkill-focused items including trail connections, daylighting proposals near the Family Partnership/Resources Center, and floodwall and shoreline stabilization studies.

The committee noted some existing infrastructure: Juarez Park has restrooms that are part of the leased restaurant building but are not clearly signed to the public; Cowrock has a small informal nonmotorized launch for kayaks that is not well maintained; and the Central Hudson property along Duchess Street was previously reconfigured with an eye toward opening a walkway. Members discussed green infrastructure, litter-education efforts, the city's natural resources inventory and protecting historic resources as integrated elements of waterfront planning.

Committee members asked that the Waterfront Advisory Committee be involved in any upcoming requests for proposals, and suggested inviting city leaders to provide an update. A member asked that the chair or staff invite Mayor Flowers or city representatives such as Joe Donat to brief the committee on vision and timetables; Chair Mike Young and staff said they would pass that request along and try to secure a briefing in a future meeting.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved the meeting minutes from Nov. 6, 2024, by unanimous voice vote; the meeting adjournment was approved by voice vote.

The committee emphasized the dual aims of adhering to the LWRP's prescribed review process while trying to be more proactive in early visioning, grant targeting and stakeholder outreach so that the city can be prepared when state funding opportunities (including estuary grants and the New York State Consolidated Funding Application) become available.

Chair Young closed the session saying he would coordinate outreach to city officials, and staff noted the city had received an LWRP planning grant related to Fallkill studies and shoreline stabilization.

The committee did not take further formal actions beyond approving minutes and adjourning.