Business leaders ask Peekskill IDA to back waterfront‑downtown shuttle; board asks for plan and budget

Representatives from the Business Improvement District and local waterfront businesses asked the Peekskill Industrial Development Agency on April 28 to help fund a seasonal shuttle connecting the waterfront, Fleischmann Pier and downtown Peekskill to support a tourism push timed with upcoming FIFA watch parties.

"The shuttle is really a huge part of everything we do of connecting the waterfront to the downtown area," said Laura Adam, owner of RMS Cruises, who told the board her company advertises internationally (including on GetYourGuide) and carried more than 7,000 passengers last year across several cruises. City and BID speakers framed the shuttle as part of a broader Destination Peekskill marketing effort that will include a new website, sponsorship sales and wrapped buses for the season.

Board members broadly endorsed the goal of getting waterfront visitors into downtown businesses but repeatedly pressed for detail. One committee member told organizers, "If a business were to come to us and ask us for money with the information that we were provided today, we would simply say no," arguing the IDA needs a business plan, route map and budget to evaluate public support. Staff said the $12,500 request being discussed is intended "just for the salaries of the drivers," and noted those city drivers are paid time‑and‑a‑half when they do the service.

The board raised specific operational questions — exact stop locations, posted signage and wayfinding, passenger capacity and whether buses should stop at hotels and trailheads — and asked Destination Peekskill and the BID to return with a more complete package. Members emphasized that any advertising or sponsorship revenue should be dedicated to shuttle operations, not diverted elsewhere. The board agreed it is willing to participate if organizers produce an actionable plan and budget and scheduled a special meeting slot to consider funding once materials are submitted.

Next steps: organizers were asked to provide a detailed plan, map of stops for public posting, a proposed budget showing sponsorship/advertising revenue and the requested contribution, and a schedule for implementation; the board indicated it will revisit the request at a special meeting if those materials are produced.