Citizens who want to get a look at plans for a $15 million sports complex and let developer John Barese know how they feel about it are encouraged to attend the official public hearing Wednesday, April 4 at 8 p.m. at the Senior Center, corner of Market and Robinson streets.
Plans for the $15 million arena include an indoor turf field, track lanes, an Olympic-size swimming pool and four basketball courts, which could also be used for volleyball and other sports. Most of the clientele would be students, who would be able to use the facility for free during school hours and for special events. According to Barese’s proposal, the facility would be privately owned and operated, and the town would lease seven acres of land for $1 a year for 99 years. He’s proposing a PILOT agreement in which he’d donate five acres of adjacent land to the town in exchange for operating tax-free throughout the lease. He’d also improve the access road ($1 million estimated cost) and turn over the proceeds from parking at special events to the town ($3-10 per vehicle).
Saugerties Times has published several articles on the proposal. This one covers most of the details, while this one follows up on a disagreement regarding the review process.
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