Hudson waterfront development delayed by unexpected asbestos find
The former DeLaval farming equipment factory site along the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York is in the final stages of an environmental cleanup that will end up costing an estimated $16.5 million by the time it’s finished. Cleanup of the site is part of a public-private partnership to redevelop and revitalize the waterfront to bolster the local economy. Including the DeLaval cleanup, the project is projected to cost $69 million.
Part of the project includes a hotel and either residential or office space on 5.5 acres of the property, with construction hopefully beginning by 2013. A marina, a spa, several restaurants and retail and office space are projected to be completed along the waterfront by fall 2012. Officials had originally hoped to complete the construction of the new development by sometime in 2010, but the discovery of asbestos at the DeLaval site caused unforeseen delays.
The original estimate for environmental remediation at DeLaval was $12.4 million before the asbestos was found. The state will be picking up $9.3 million for the remediation, but the remaining $7.2 million must be paid by the city. Most of the remediation work is now complete, but the site still needs to be capped. The capping cannot take place until utility work is done.
For the full story, go to Poughkeepsie Journal.
