The Village of Montgomery’s Local Planning Committee received over a dozen project submissions from sponsors for its New York Forward plan in July, giving the group plenty of ideas to consider for downtown revitalization. With the village crossing the halfway point in the NY Forward process, the LPC began evaluating these projects during its fourth meeting on Thursday, August 29.

Tommy Boston and Christiana Kastalek, two consultants from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., opened the meeting by refreshing the LPC on the NY Forward timeline, upcoming engagement opportunities, and the project evaluation process. During this meeting, each project sponsor presented their submission to the LPC, providing more information on their idea’s scope, costs, and benefits to the village. Using an online poll, the LPC rated each project on a scale of one to three based on two criteria: project readiness, how quickly and effectively the project can be implemented, and co-benefits, the potential to attract visitors and enhance the village experience.

“When thinking about project readiness, consider the scope of work and the project activities. Are they clearly identified?” Kastalek said. “Consider the ability to implement the project in the near term of roughly two years and the ability to process without any significant regulatory hurdles.”

“If you recall LPC meeting two, you came up with the co-benefits that you found important to consider when evaluating projects,” she continued. “Those include the potential to attract regional visitors, enhance community connectivity and cohesion, and enhance the value of Montgomery’s experience.”

In between meetings, the sponsor for the Railroad Avenue development project removed their submission from the program, leaving 13 projects totaling $8,094,996 in NYF request funds and $12,789,160 in costs. These included the following:

The Village of Montgomery proposed four projects: establish Wayfinding signage, enhance streetscaping and connections, redesign Veterans Memorial Park, and improve downtown buildings with the Small Project Fund. These four totaled $4,200,000 in NYF request funds and $4,350,000 in costs.

Associate Properties of the Hudson Valley LLC proposed a renovation and expansion of a historic building on 63 Clinton Street Street, including more retail space and three residential apartments. The project totaled $525,938 in NYF request funds and $701,250 in costs, with a time frame of 18 months. The submission plans received above-average ratings, scoring a 2.2 for readiness and 2.1 for co-benefits.

Hanover Development proposed the construction of a mixed-use building at 71-73 Clinton Street, including more retail space and 11 residential apartments. The project totaled $1,500,000 in NYF request funds and $5,400,000 in costs, with a time frame of 18 months. The submission plans received extremely high ratings, scoring a 3.0 in readiness and 2.8 in co-benefits.

Cape Properties LLC proposed renovations to an 1800s building on 64 Clinton Street, providing improvements to energy efficiency, structural integrity, and appearance. The project totaled $96,750 in NYF request funds and $129,000 in costs, with a time frame of six to 12 months. The submission plans received high ratings for readiness, scoring 2.5, but low ratings for co-benefits, scoring 1.5.

Cape Properties LLC also proposed restorations to a historic building at 110 Clinton Street, providing enhancements similar to its previous submission. The project totaled $133,860 in NYF request funds and $178,480 in costs, with a time frame of six to 12 months. The submission plans received favorable ratings, scoring 2.3 in readiness and 2.4 in co-benefits.

Robert Mathieu proposed a conversion of a carriage house on 77 Ward Street, transforming the property into a mixed-use building with office space and residential apartments. The project totaled $450,000 in NYF request funds and $600,000 in costs, with a time frame of 18 months. The submission plans received low ratings for readiness and co-benefits, scoring 1.4 for both criteria.

Angjell Nikollaj proposed renovations to a mixed-use building at 102-108 Clinton Street, providing improvements to the building’s upper-floor apartments. The project totaled $300,000 in NYF request funds and $400,000 in costs, with a time frame of 12 months. The submission plans received average ratings for readiness, scoring 1.9, and high ratings for co-benefits, scoring 2.6.

Overhuser Enterprises LLC proposed an extension to its funeral home at 78 Union Street, providing more indoor space and an accessible entryway. The project totaled $222,998 in NYF request funds and $297,300 in costs, with a time frame of 12 months. The submission plans received moderate to high ratings, scoring 2.6 in readiness and 2.1 in co-benefits.

ROT Enterprises proposed renovations to a single-family residence on 76 Union Street, providing office space and one residential apartment. The project totaled $222,997 in NYF request funds and $297,330 in costs, with a time frame of 12 months. The submission plans received favorable ratings, scoring 2.7 in readiness and 2.2 in co-benefits.

The Montgomery Nursery School proposed an expansion to its building at 21 Wallkill Avenue, providing more classroom space for the nursery’s growing enrollment. The project totals $462,500 for both NYF request funds and costs, with a time frame of two and a half months. The submission plans received high ratings, scoring 2.6 in readiness and 2.7 in co-benefits.

During General Montgomery Day on September 7, the consultants will host an informational booth where residents can vote and submit comments. The consultants will also hold a public workshop in the Montgomery Senior Center on Wednesday, October 16 at 6 p.m.