Last month the Town of Cornwall Planning Board unanimously granted preliminary site plan approval for the hotel project at the site of the former Bernicker Dodge location on Main Street. While there’s still work to be done before final approval can be granted, local, county, and state officials are excited about the potential tax revenue and foot traffic the project will draw once completed.

“Downtown revitalization has been one of my focuses in Cornwall since taking office in 2022 as town supervisor,” Supervisor Josh Wojehowski said. “The hotel aligns with the town’s zoning code and the Comprehensive Plan. It was also part of the vision we set forth in the NY Forward application. It’s in the Strategic Investment Plan, and the NY Forward local planning committee supported the vision for this as well.”

Keith Perez purchased the Bernicker property in 2019 for the purpose of using it as warehouse space for his construction company. However, it was discovered the property was contaminated and the spills had to be remediated. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has closed the case and determined no further remedial activities are required. Afterwards, Perez sat down with his attorney, Bart Lansky, to look at the town’s zoning code to determine what was allowed to be built on the parcel.

Out of the various uses, Lansky said, the best option for his client and the municipality seemed to be a hotel since the GC Zone doesn’t allow for low income housing. A company was hired to conduct a feasibility study and it was further determined the area is ripe for a hotel. The Orange County Department of Tourism and Film also highlighted a significant shortfall in available accommodations.

What has been proposed to the Planning board is a 52-room boutique hotel and restaurant and the project has been approved by Hilton under their Tapestry Collection.

The $13 million project has already secured a $1.2 million grant from Empire State Development (ESD), Wojehowski said, underscoring the significant positive impact it is expected to have on the community. The town also applied for a $2 million dollar Restore NY grant from ESD which supports projects focused on the revitalization of formally blighted properties or the adaptive reuse of abandoned buildings. The deadline to submit the grant application was May and Wojehowski hopes to hear back in early fall.

Meanwhile, the applicant is hopeful to break ground around the same time.

Prior to site work starting on location, the applicant must meet any terms and conditions laid out by the Planning Board. That checklist includes submitting final layout and elevations, as well as answering any outstanding questions related to obtaining the special permit required to build a hotel in that zone. Since Main Street is a county road, the Department of Transportation will need to grant approval as well. Finally, the applicant will be working with Hilton to develop a floor plan and an identity for the hotel.

Once construction begins, it’ll take about a year to complete, said Lansky. The property, which currently generates between $12,000 and $14,000 a year in tax revenue, will generate over $1 million in tax revenue between town, school, county, sales and hotel taxes. The hotel will also create about 35 jobs.

Wojehowski is excited at the prospect of the foot traffic the hotel will generate, as well as providing an alternate location for visitors to stay other than an AirBnB.

“The hotel and restaurant are expected to attract a diverse array of visitors, ranging from leisure tourists to business travelers, thereby boosting the local economy and fostering the growth of new businesses,” said Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce President Scott Teresi. “The project’s approval under Hilton’s Tapestry Collection ensures a high standard of quality and service, making it a landmark addition to Cornwall.”

Senator James Skoufis and Assemblyman Chris Eachus also praised the project for the economic impact it will have on the local community.