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Residents press Port Jervis council to preserve turntable, propose 86 Pike Street for community center
Summary
During public comment residents urged the council to guarantee the future of the historic turntable at 86 Pike (Pine) Street and proposed the site as a community center, while others urged transparency and raised related legal and property concerns.
Multiple Port Jervis residents used the public-comment period on Jan. 13 to press the council for clarity and action on the fate of the city's historic railroad turntable and to propose a redevelopment path for 86 Pike (Pine) Street.
Lindsey Ennis, who identified herself as a Port Jervis homeowner and volunteer, told the council she heard strong public concern after a December meeting about plans for the turntable and said the mayor’s brief statement then left residents without a full explanation. Ennis asked for a guarantee about the site's status and proposed that 86 Pike Street be considered "for the future site of the proposed community center," citing the parcel’s existing municipal water and sewer and proximity to the business district as advantages. She said possible funding sources include the Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and New York Works funding.
Harrison Balbo, who said he works for the Catskill Mountain Railroad, urged transparency, noting prior disputes in nearby counties where the public learned plans only after decisions were advanced. "I would request that transparency be in order of it," he told the council, asking officials to "consider the history" before any change to the turntable site.
Other public commenters raised related concerns. Gerald Hardin said he is filing a lawsuit against the city and the police department and questioned stewardship of donated artifacts; his remarks included a request for more public access to documents and proposals. A separate commenter identified by the moderator as "Miss Miles" raised a property-billing dispute about DPW charges at 100 Falls Street, describing notices and clean-up bills she called a "scam" and saying she plans to involve the New York State Attorney General.
The council did not announce a formal decision on the turntable or 86 Pike Street at the meeting. Mayor Dominic Seguise and council members acknowledged hearing the comments; no votes or directives to staff related to the turntable were recorded in the meeting minutes provided on the floor.
The public comments drew repeated calls for clearer public communication and records; residents seeking further action on preservation or redevelopment will need to pursue follow-up with the mayor’s office or relevant committees.
