The unoccupied factory at the southern end of Water Street has been demolished in preparation for the construction of a boutique hotel, sparking community discussion over traffic, congestion and economic growth.
The proposed New Paltz Way Hotel will be up to three stories, hold 28 rooms and have 21,000 square feet of floor space. It will feature a coffee lounge, spa and a connection to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. The western side of the building will have balconies that offer views of the trail and the Shawangunk Ridge, according to renderings provided by the Village of New Paltz Planning Department.
The hotel will be located at 11 Water St., a short walk from the Water Street Market and a five-minute walk from the rest of the village.
In addition to the village, this location will give patrons easy access to the Empire State Trail and the scenic River to Ridge Trail at the village’s western end.
According to developer Jesse Halliburton, owner and principal broker of Prime Real Estate Group, this location will allow the hotel to bring significant economic activity to the area.
Halliburton had previously opened the Woodstock Way Hotel with co-developer Ryan Giuliani, and used the success of that project to estimate the economic impact of the hotel on the community.
Documents provided by the developer to the village state that patrons of the hotel will spend an additional $1.6 to $1.8 million each year at local restaurants and that staff of those restaurants, such as those that rely on tips, will see an increase of “between $225,000 to $360,000 in additional earning power annually.”
However, the hotel’s location has been a cause of concern amongst the community. “My main concern is congestion,” wrote New Paltz resident Michelle Stein in a Facebook post. “[The] Village of New Paltz isn’t designed to handle that kind of volume on Water Street.”
The hotel will be located adjacent to the narrow four-way intersection between Water Street, Plains Road, Mohonk Avenue and Pencil Hill Road that occurs after the rail trail crossing. The extended intersection occurs after a blind turn that wraps around 11 Water St. and includes a very tight turn between Water Street and Mohonk Avenue.
The current plan for the 0.83-acre lot includes the hotel, 33 parking spaces and 12 bicycle parking spots. The parking lot will include multiple exits, both of which will be accessible from that intersection.
Some residents believe the removal of the factory and subsequent construction of the hotel will increase visibility in that difficult area. “If this were a multiplex or Bounce, I’d be concerned,” New Paltz resident Carolyn Fulton wrote in a Facebook post. “Just having that huge building out of the way will help with visibility.”
According to Director of Planning, Zoning and Code Enforcement for the Village of New Paltz, Mike Baden, “This project underwent 2+ years of review by the Planning Board. It was reviewed by the Village Engineer, an independent traffic consultant and the DPW and Ulster County Planning Board.”
On Feb. 19, the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency approved over $1 million in tax breaks for the planned hotel, including $600,000 in sales tax exemptions. According to the agency, the $12 million investment by Halliburton and his co-developer will “create well-paying hospitality jobs and short-term construction jobs that stimulate and support the local economy.”
The developer received a demolition permit in December, and the site is currently undergoing demolition. According to the Daily Freeman, construction is scheduled to be completed in 2025, with an official opening in 2026.
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