Preserve History and Community at Garrison's Landing
Dear Editor:

The Garrison Station Plaza, Inc., owners of the building (built in 1849 as a store) where Guinan's served our community for 50 years, have submitted a site plan to the Town of Philipstown to change the use of the building to offices and an apartment.

Many in town are worried about this plan and its consequences, and hope the Station Plaza will reconsider dedicating a portion of the space to a new public gathering spot, such as a café. Not doing so would rob Philipstown of a vital community center and also limit the amenities available to the commuters, boaters, West Point Cadets, tourists, and residents.

For a riverfront town, Philipstown offers few public amenities or conveniences on the river—in Cold Spring there are condos, and a dog walk park where Dockside once stood, and now in Garrison there will be offices.

If you have an interest in preserving history and community and would like to help, you can attend the Philipstown Planning Board meeting at the VFW on Kemble Ave. in Cold Spring on March 19 at 7:30pm. This is a public hearing where you can share your thoughts on this very important matter. If you can't make the meeting but would like to comment you can write a letter to the Planning Board: Town of Philipstown Planning Board P.O. Box 155 Cold Spring, NY 10516 or e-mail: townclerk@philipstown.com or communicate through the PCN&R as I have. The Journal News wrote a story about the store recently: www.lohud.com/ article/2009902220360 .

A lot of information can be found on the web about the history of our town; the Landing is listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. A store has existed on the Landing for nearly 200 years and with good reason—it was a busy river transportation hub then and is still a center for many modes of transportation today. Tourism in our town is a vital industry and many regional landuse organizations agree that smart land usage includes using what you've got wisely.

Garrison Station Plaza, Inc. has decided the ultimate use for the building at #7 Garrison's Landing, and it appears that they have disregarded the Town of Philipstown's goals in the Comprehensive Plan, and were uninfluenced by public pressure (we submitted a petition in support of a store with over 1,000 signatures)

Over 75 percent of the GSP corporate stock is owned by their not-for-profit sister company, the Garrison Landing Association. As a 501c3 company they receive public funds both from individuals and State and foundation grants.

It is possible that if their decision about the use of the building at #7 Garrison's Landing favors what the majority of public wants to see there, the public would be more generous in supporting their charitable organization.

Please share your thoughts on this now…the clock is ticking.

Mary Ellen Yannitelli

Garrison