On Tuesday, January 26th, the Newburgh Zoning Board of Appeals heard a presentation in which William Kaplan asked for a variance for his proposed housing development on waterfront land adjoining his Regal Bag Building.  Assisting Mr. Kaplan was Lou Marquet from the Leyland Alliance, in addition to an attorney from Jacobwitz and Gubits.  Kaplan explained he had hired Leyland to assist in the planning process and gaining approvals from the city.

Kaplan began with the history of the Regal Bag Building, before launching into a description of the proposed buildings.  Throughout, he emphasized that the variance was needed to make the project financially viable.  He compared it to other Newburgh projects, stating that “the Foundry is floudering… Ferry Crossing went bankrupt twice… Voisons, that went bankrupt…” until IBM and Kaplan brought Voisons back.

Claims project would bring $2M in taxes

Kaplan reiterated the financial advantages of approving his project, chief among them the $2M addition he claims the project would bring in taxes.

Mr. Kaplan did not sugarcoat his view of the reality facing developers in Newburgh.  “We are starting a project at the worst time in the country in one of the worst cities in the country… we have a bankrupt city right now.  You all know it, I don’t have to tell you.  With no chance of getting anything in here except Ray’s putting up some buildings there [referring to Ray Yannone's Colden Street project].  But there ain’t nothing else going on and there ain’t going to be anything else going on for a very, very long time.”

Public comments were only in favor of project

Several people spoke during the public comments period, including above-mentioned Ray Yannone and Chris Colombo, whose children are partners with Yannone on the Newburgh Train Station renovation.

Also speaking in favor of the project was Dick Polich of the Yellow Bird Gallery building.

Variance decision postponed until next month’s meeting

Because several board members were absent, and also due to the too-brief period board members had to review the proposal, a final decision about the variance was postponed until next month’s meeting.  One part of the variance request involves waiving a need to build over 100 parking spaces.

Full video coverage of the meeting is posted below (or access the video directly at this link.)