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Middletown council approves funding, grants and bonds for O&W redevelopment and downtown parking
Summary
The council approved transfers, grant acceptances and a bond issue tied to the O & W redevelopment and downtown parking projects, actions sponsors said will help revitalize the city’s downtown gateway.
The Middletown Common Council voted unanimously to approve a package of funding measures aimed at downtown redevelopment, including a transfer for the O & W project, acceptance of state grants and the issuance of bonds to finance railroad-station rehabilitation.
The council approved a $2,660,000 transfer from city funds for the city’s portion of the O & W project; accepted Restore New York/Empire State Development grant funding for the O & W redevelopment; and authorized the issuance of an additional $3,900,000 in bonds to pay costs tied to the O & W Railroad Station Rehabilitation. The measures passed on roll calls with all members voting “Aye.”
Nut graf: The O & W project was discussed as a large downtown redevelopment effort with grant, bond and local-match components. Council members and sponsors framed the measures as steps to secure state funding and to make permanent the city’s share of financing for parking and station improvements.
Council discussion and votes Alderman Green sponsored the transfer and grant-acceptance resolutions for the O & W project; Alderman John Francois and Alderman Johnson were among council members who spoke during roll calls. The council voted unanimously on the transfer, the Restore New York/Empire State Development grant acceptance and the bond-issuance resolution. The resolution texts and roll-call records list Aldermen Tobin, Jean Francois, Johnson, Ray, Kleiner, Green, Witt and President Rodriguez as voting “Aye.”
The council also approved a resolution authorizing permanent funding for the city’s portion of the South Street parking garage. A separate resolution authorized settlement terms and a city purchase of an off-street lot for downtown parking at $97,500; that resolution also passed unanimously.
Council members described the O & W work as part of the downtown gateway and flagged the project’s roughly $40,000,000 total scope, as discussed during the meeting. The recorded statements in the meeting noted the O & W project and related redevelopment as a major initiative for the downtown but did not specify a final construction schedule.
Ending: The measures carry the city through immediate match and capital needs so state grants can be accepted and local borrowing secured. Council sponsors said additional steps and project phases will follow in later meetings as contracts and detailed budgets are finalized.
