The Highland Falls New York Forward Local Planning Committee (LPC) wrapped up its work on October 29, with its final meeting with Consultant Jill Gallant and NYS Department of State’s Susan Landfried. At that meeting the group whittled down project requests from community property owners and businesses to $7.7 million, which will now be submitted to the state for approval. From them, $4.5 million worth of the projects will be approved, and then the process of doing the work begins.

But, it will probably be at least next Spring before the community learns what the projects are, Gallant told the LPC members. The meeting last week was the sixth of the LPC, and quite a few public sessions were held amidst them.
One of the things the committee members did last week was to look at the comments that some 25 residents had made at a public presentation at the Highland Falls Library of the proposed projects. Another 22 people took an online survey to give similar feedback.

Gallant called the final slate of proposed projects “a nice balance” of Main St. The LPC members spent the most time reviewing the village’s million dollar request for the Ladycliff Park area. Since initially submitted that project no longer contains a children’s play area or splash pad, but still includes an amphitheater. (The project initially was $1.3 million.)

Public opinion on that particular project was mixed, Gallant said, with some people noting it was “too expensive” and others saying “the park is good as it is”.

The village is also applying for funds to do work on Main St., such as add more ‘antique’ streetlights, benches and garbage receptacles, as well as ‘stamped’ crosswalks; funds to do a marketing and signage campaign; and funds for a ‘small project fund’ so that they are able to give out small grants to local businesses for work on Main Street buildings.

Individual projects at 209, 285,441, 447, 287,293,323, 327, 341 and 470 Main Street were also sent forward. Most involved cosmetic improvements to building facades to enhance the look of not only the building, but the village’s commercial district. Many of those featured reduced ‘asks’ of the grant as they work to get their projects approved.