Construction is currently under way at the Newburgh Mall with new storefronts anticipated to be appearimg this year. The mall is in the process of revitalization as businesses have either left or spaces have remained vacant for some time.

The Town of Newburgh Planning Board hosted two projects on Thursday, June 20 with presented updates and plans for the mall in the coming months. The first presentation was for architectural review board (ARB) approval for the facade of the mall’s exterior.

Architect Andrew Woodrum of Anderson Design Group presented the proposal, stating that the existing mall building footprint, approximately 400,000 square feet, would remain the same, but now, newly constructed retail spaces would be accessible from the exterior. While several businesses currently operate inside the mall during the construction, it appears that the mall is moving away from an indoor concept.

National tenants each have their own signage and elements associated with their specific brands. Woodrum presented vertical lumen accents to create a more unified appearance for the building that would be light gray in color with darker accents.

Planning board members noted that the parking lot for the mall should perhaps be repaved in its entirety, as it is not in the best condition. Code compliance noted to the applicant that the presented signs for the site would need variances and the applicant should review vehicle signage currently installed on the site. Other comments addressed concerns about the varying signage elements that were offered, though it was mentioned again that national tenants have their own branding.

The next presentation was for the project known as Harbor Freight Tools. Harbor Freight Tools is a nationally recognized tool and equipment retailer. Though the architects were not present on Thursday night, representative Matthew Millon presented the project which proposes new shopping cart corrals, Americans with Disabilities [ADA] updates like ramps and overall parking area and for signage approval for the building.

The new storefront, according to a memo prepared by MHE Engineering, notes the project proposes to occupy the former Bed Bath & Beyond store location, 15,087 square feet in size. The memo notes the modifications mentioned by Millon require ARB approval with the changing of the façade. Also, adjoiners’ notices will need to be sent out to neighboring parcels.

While the project was listed for ARB approval, the project received classification as a project with field changes due to the improvements being proposed. These improvements would be subject to approval from the town’s code compliance department and MHE Engineering. The planning board will still have jurisdiction over the project on ARB approval.

Century 21 Real Estate defines field changes as “any changes made during construction that deviate from the architectural plans. During construction, changes often need to happen. Most construction projects keep a log of changes made as the building goes up.”

Both projects will be back before the planning board on July 18 meeting. Harbor Freights has specific styles and colors associated with their national branding that would be portrayed on the building.

With new national tenants looking to make their move to the mall, the Newburgh community has said goodbye to several anchor businesses over the last few years. The Sears store closed its doors and is now going to have half of its space occupied by the national auto parts retailer O’Reilly Auto Parts. The Bonton department store closed and became the home of the Resorts World Hudson Valley casino, which now features state of the art gaming machines and other amenities.

The Office Depot storefront and the Children’s Place, both of which operated in the mall for over a decade, have since left. The Newburgh Library once operated a space in the mall but has now moved to a new location on South Plank Road. Inside the mall, construction walls separate work areas where other stores once operated, and additional tenants are to be announced at a later date.