Governor Signs Off on Orangetown Land Swap Involving Broadacres

The Orangetown Council received news it had been waiting for since June Tuesday.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed off on home rule legislation Oct.22 that would allow Orangetown to use the 65 acres currently occupied by Broadacres Golf Course for Commercial Development in exchange for creating park land on the water front as part of any development plan for the Rockland Psychiatric Center property in Orangeburg.

"We've worked hard over the last year and a half to get the RPC redevelopment process back on track, and Cuomo's signature is another step towards a success," Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart said. "It helps; create the long-sought waterfront park, and it enhances the development potential for the rest of the site, making it more likely we will find investors willing to spend the estimated $20 million to remove the 60 vacant hospital buildings that currently stand in the way of new construction."

The town held a special meeting the morning of June 18 to approve the possible land swap in time to get it to the state legislature before the end of the session,.thus providing flexibility in the redevelopment of the Rockland Psychiatric Property, which includes Broadacres.  The inclusion of a waterfront park had already been listed as one of the goals of the town's plan for RPC, which can be found on the Orangetown website here. 

The legislation does not commit Orangetown to closing Broadacres. As the council was working on the swap, it also continued to search for private management to take over the course with the hopes of relieving the town of the annual debt it brings and that work is ongoing. The goal was to provide options. To read more about the proposal, read this report on Patch.  
Stewart credited the lobbying efforts of the town board, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, Senator David Carlucci and town lobbyists Wilson Elser, Inc. in a press release for moving the legislation forward. 

"I thank all of our local legislators, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee an Senator David Carluci, for sponsoring this legislation and their efforts to pass it," Stewart said. "I also thank Gov. Cuomo for signing this legislation and for providing Orangetown with ESDC's support to move forward with a viable effort to redevelop the RPC site. Together with Gov. Cuomo an ESDC's support, we will strengthen our future and improve the quality of life for all Orangetown residents."

During a candidates forum in Tappan Wednesday night, Councilman Tom Diviny spoke about the importance of Cuomo's support in the redevelopment of RPC. He has also continued to work on the option of keeping Broadacres open by bringing in private management. 

"The property is prime and the Governor's office is supporting it," Diviny said. "The agreements are being developed. We do have a plan (for requests for proposals), but we can't put it out there yet."

The land swap approval was also part of ongoing discussions of working with the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) on the redevelopment of RPC. 

"I am very pleased that the town has begun a partnership with ESDC," Stewart said. "It has long been the town's priority to develop vacant and abandoned lands at the RPC site. The town-ESDC partnership will create a viable plan to create that goal."