October 27, 2023 / By mobanmarket
FISHKILL, NY — New York is asking for proposals to redevelop the shuttered Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that Emprire State Development, in partnership with the Office of General Services and Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, issue a request for proposals to deal with the vacant prison.
The RFP advances recommendations made by the Prison Redevelopment Commission and builds on the first-in-the-nation efforts to reimagine former prison sites from an economic development focus as prison populations shrink and prisons close.
It also is a part of Hochul’s ongoing effort to identify state-owned sites for potential residential uses to increase the state’s housing supply in light of the housing crisis.
SEE ALSO: NY To Close Downstate Correctional Facility In Hudson Valley
It was announced in November 2021 that Downstate Correction would be one of five prisons around the state to be closed. The Fishkill facility shut down March 10, 2022.
Hochul said the Prison Redevelopment Commission compiled thoughtful, realistic information and recommendations that considered expert and community input.
“We are hitting the ground running and taking major steps to move these recommendations forward in ways that will give impacted communities a voice on the future of these closed sites,” she said.
Hochul said the primary development objective for the redevelopment of the Downstate is to maximize benefits to the surrounding community and region while prioritizing housing. The RFP places a strong emphasis on housing in a mix of unit sizes and affordability ranges and makes up to $8 million in incentives available to eligible respondents to address remediation and demolition costs.
The former maximum-security prison covers about 80 acres of land, 50 of which are within the perimeter security and 30 that are outside.
There are 34 buildings on the property, totaling 558,000 square feet.
The site is located in the town of Fishkill and is adjacent to the city of Beacon. It is about 70 miles north of New York City.
Downstate Correction is just north — separated by Interstate 84 — of Fishkill Correctional Facility, which is a men’s medium security level facility.
Access the RFP through this link.
When reached for comment, Fishkill’s Supervisor Ozzy Albra told Patch the town is aware of the RFP regarding the Downstate property and will continue to monitor the situation as it develops.
“As I have said before, I maintain that the Town Board has an absolute right and an obligation to enforce our zoning laws,” he said, “and the town is in a very strong position to fulfill that duty based on the recent Rolling Hills case which took place here in Fishkill which established that precedent for all of New York State.”
The town was sued by the developer of the proposed Rolling Hills project when the town ended a review of a zoning amendment to which a previous town board had agreed. The Dutchess County Supreme Court sided with the town and said that a municipal board cannot bind a future board on legislative matters, a spokesperson for the town said.
As proposed, Rolling Hills would have required rezoning one parcel in order to construct a 30-building, 463-unit development on Route 9D, according to Highland Current.
Proposals for Downstate Correctional Facility must be received by Empire State Development via DropBox by 2 p.m. Aug. 23.
Potential respondents may also attend a site tour that is anticipated to be scheduled on or around Aug. 2. RSVP by 5 p.m. July 31.
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