Park Point Scrapped For Good

Wilmorite Incorporated’s proposed $60 million Park Point housing project for SUNY New Paltz has officially been dismissed.

The lawsuit began when the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) granted Wilmorite a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement for their plans to build the dormitory at Park Point — prompting the New Paltz Town Planning Board to reject the plan on the basis that the tax-break the PILOT allowed was unfair to the town.

The court ruling made on March 17, 2015 by New York State Supreme Court of Ulster County Justice Michael Melkonian originally rejected the proposal. However, there was talk of revisitation of the issue by SUNY New Paltz President Donald Christian.

A press release was posted on the college website on Oct. 13, which was a joint statement from SUNY New Paltz Foundation Executive Director Erica Marks and SUNY New Paltz President Donald Christian.

“Given  the continued delays and no clear path to completion, the SUNY New Paltz Foundation has decided to no longer pursue this project with Wilmorite,” the press release said.

Christian said in the release that the college appreciates the town board and planning board’s repeated acknowledgment during the review process of the college’s need for housing. SUNY New Paltz now must evaluate other options to address its still pressing housing needs.