One of the largest vacant parcels along the Hudson River has a new plan for revitalization and officials could take a step towards moving the major mixed-use development forward early next month.
19 acres of land at 615 River Road have become one of the more controversial development sites in Edgewater, generating lots of colorful headlines is recent years. The property was owned by Hess Corporation and served as home to oil tanks for decades before it was purchased by 615 River Road Partners in 2014.
A thorough environmental remediation of the property was completed by Hess and 615 River Road Partners, a joint venture by The Maxal Group and EnviroFinance Group of Denver. The company filed a notable lawsuit against Edgewater in 2017, alleging that the town and local developer Fred Daibes were conspiring to block their previous plans for a major project including 1,800 residential units.
Per the AP, the parties agreed to a legal settlement last year and preliminary plans that are scaled back a bit are now being pitched by the developers. Designed by FXCollaborative of New York, the latest proposal for 615 River Road includes approximately 1,200 living units and up to 20,000 square feet of retail space directly along the Hudson River suitable for restaurants and shops.
The current plan features glass-heavy buildings that would be constructed on both sides of River Road connected by a public skybridge over the roadway. Public parks would be built on both the eastern and western sides of River Road featuring a variety of plantings, flower beds, and seating. The waterfront section is set to include an amphitheater space with seating along the public walkway.
There are several facilities for the community included in the project, one of which comes courtesy of the settlement. The developer will donate about five acres of land on the western portion of the property to the borough, who will construct new public school for Edgewater’s children.
As part of the effort to create mass transit options for possible future residents, the project would see the construction of a new ferry stop on an existing pier that would be upgraded significantly. The plan calls for building a covered waiting facility and a parking area for ferry passengers. In addition, new bus “super stops” complete with shelters would be built within the project.
Public parking is set to be included in the project for residents to access both the parks and restaurants that could potentially open in the proposed retail space. Edgewater’s planning board will soon be voting on a resolution the borough’s council passed late last year that could designate the entire property as a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment, a needed step toward advancing the current proposal.
Further action will be needed before the current proposal is approved but for now, the board is holding a special meeting to discuss the council’s resolution on June 1 beginning at 7 p.m. Due to continued COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting will be held digitally on Zoom and can be joined at this link or by using the meeting ID 830 6445 6357.
