(Monticello, NY) - Last month, Sullivan County launched a land use and economic development plan, in conjunction with the Village of Monticello and the Town of Thompson, for the area surrounding the Montreign-Adelaar casino resort project. Funded by USDA as “The Monticello-Thompson Gateway Corridor Strategic Plan,” the effort has been dubbed the “Grow the Gateways (GTG)” project by its steering committee to reflect its focus on revitalizing the major County “gateways” to new resort development and existing attractions such as Bethel Woods. The project study area covers the Route 17 corridor extending from Exit 107 to Exit 104, including East Broadway, Broadway, Jefferson Street, and NYS Route 42 and 17B. A Grow the Gateways logo has been created by Fisher Mears Associates, for use in the plan’s public outreach efforts, social media and implementation.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the Grow the Gateways Open House on February 15th at the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library at 479 Broadway in Monticello. Staff from the Saratoga Springs firm of Elan Planning, Design and Landscape Architecture, PLLC., which has been hired by the County to prepare the plan, will be on hand from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm to discuss the project, share insights, and get information and ideas from people who live, work, and shop in the area. The Open House will feature informational exhibits and interactive exercises designed to collect feedback. The setting is informal and flexible, so that visitors can drop in for as long or as little as they want. Light refreshments will be served.
“We are very excited to have received this grant from the USDA to prepare for the anticipated development that will occur as a result of the Montreign Resort Casino and the corridor’s close proximity to this upcoming destination. The development of the corridor is critical to the economic development of the County” said Luis Alvarez, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature.
Alan Sorensen, County Legislator for District 9 and Chairman of the Planning, Environmental Management and Real Property Committee, added “The County Legislature is committed to working with local businesses to provide the foundation for future economic growth. This plan is the first step in that direction.”
Elan started collecting input on the gateways’ challenges and opportunities in January with a series of focus groups and interviews of key stakeholders including area property owners and businesses, as well as municipal officials involved in the development review process in the Village of Monticello and Town of Thompson. The February 15th Open House is intended to broaden the project outreach to the general public. Anyone interested in the revitalization of Sullivan County’s county seat is welcome. Additionally, the Open House will build on the information collected in the earlier meetings.
The Grow the Gateways plan is being developed by Sullivan County in partnership with Town of Thompson, Village of Monticello, Sullivan Renaissance, and the Partnership for Economic Development. It is expected to result in an implementable plan for activating the underutilized land in the study area. “We need a plan that is based in reality,” says Village Manager, Dave Sager, “and the way to realize that is to hear from business owners who work in the corridor and community members who visit the area regularly.”
Town of Thompson Supervisor, Bill Rieber, agrees “Community participation is critical to the success of this project. I encourage the public to spend a few minutes to give us your ideas and suggestions. We must make a good first impression to the new visitors to Sullivan County for our revitalization to succeed.”
The Grow the Gateways Open House is being hosted by the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library.
The public is encouraged to stop by at their convenience any time between 11AM – 7PM. Please contact Travis North at (845) 807-0533 or Nicolette Wagoner at (917) 991-0575 with any questions or comments about the Public Open House or the Grow the Gateways project.
Travis North
Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management
100 North Street
Monticello, NY 12701
Phone: (845) 807-0533, Fax: (845) 807-0546
E-mail: Travis.North@sullivanny.us
Nicolette Wagoner, AICP, LEED AP ND, Senior Planner
Elan Planning/ Design/ Landscape Architecture PLLC
100 North Street
Monticello, NY 12701
Phone: (917) 991-0575
E-mail: nwagoner@elanpd.com
