WALLKILL – At the Town of Shawangunk Planning Board Meeting of January 5, Stewart Crowell, President of Wallkill Center Properties, Inc., kicked off the planning process for a multi-building development project in the heart of the hamlet of Wallkill.

"We really want to do this the right way," says Crowell. "We feel this is good, smart growth, right in the hamlet. We followed the guidelines set out by the Ulster County Planning Board for this, and it meets the recommendations in the Town of Shawangunk Comprehensive Plan."

Crowell, a former history teacher, and a former Director of Restoration and Preservation at the Huguenot Historical Society in New Paltz, describes his role in this project, as "someone interested in the smart growth of our hamlet."

The plan is indeed ambitious. As currently envisaged, it would include a two-story commercial building, three two-story mixed-use buildings, three two-story residential buildings, and four two-story townhouse complexes with 66 residential units.

All this would arise on 6.35 acres bounded by Railroad Avenue, Park Avenue, Main Street, Bridge Street, and Pleasant Avenue. The final effect would certainly transform the center of the hamlet.

Pointing to the architectural drawing of the project, Crowell emphasizes that this is "the first look, there could be many changes. We are looking for mixed development with commercial and residential uses."

Crowell says the idea for this project came to him a long time ago.

"I grew up in Wallkill. I remember playing on that property as a kid. In fact, I remember the train station. My wife, Carolyn, is a local girl too, and she used to collect the newspapers when they threw them off the train and take them down to Edsall's drug store.

"I knew Mr. Howell, who owned the property," he continues. "I bought stuff at his hardware store. I even taught on the same faculty as his wife in Newburgh. So when he passed away a few years ago, I approached his daughters about selling the property and we were fortunate in getting the property and being able to do something for the town."

Crowell retains an intimate contact with the property. "I mow that piece of ground every summer, and I bounce along on some of the old railroad ties that are buried beneath the surface there, and it all brings back memories.

"We want to see a full revival of the center of the hamlet. And the center of the hamlet is where development needs to be, where you have the sewer and water."

Crowell also points to a valuable amenity that runs into that part of the hamlet. "The Rail Trail is right there, too, and we want to integrate that into the whole thing."

But, of course, this is just the beginning of the process. There will be a public hearing and many issues will be addressed and resolved before anything can be built.

"So far, so good," says Crowell. "See you at the planning board meeting."