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Copake makes third attempt at NY Forward funding

Copake makes third attempt at NY Forward funding

Margaret Irwin, lead consultant with River Street Planning and Development and one of the grant writers and consultants for the application for the NY Forward Grant, presented the projects that Copake hopes to develop if they win the 4.5 million dollar grant. The grant will help revitalize downtown Copake.

Photo by Roberta Roll

COPAKE — Members of the New York Forward Advisory Committee held their second community meeting to discuss their progress and to invite public comment at Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Margaret Irwin, lead consultant with River Street Planning and Development and one of the grant writers and consultants for the application, opened the meeting saying that this year they have “stronger projects” and “a shared vision and the backbone to succeed” in winning the grant. It is the third time they will try for the grant.

Irwin said there are twenty projects under consideration for the 20 page application. Important to the application are 39 proposed affordable housing units and a possibility of 174 new jobs in Copake.

The “Copake Spur” is a key element to the revitalization plan. This is a foot trail that will connect the town of Copake to the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.

Included in the plan are three catalyst projects. One is the renovation of the historic Copake Grange. Repairs and upgrades are proposed for the whole building as well as the 94 seat theater.

The second catalyst will be improvements to Route 7A, with plans to reconstruct and pave 1.74 miles of road, add storm water drainage, curbing, sidewalks, and lighting to improve safety.

The third catalyst project is the Astor Court Gardens. A proposed agrotourism hotspot, the bed and breakfast will host wellness workshops, fitness classes, spa treatments, event space, a farm market and 24 rooms.

Other projects include restaurants, farm stores, renovation of the Copake schoolhouse and the Copake Inn and rehabilitation of fire damaged buildings for apartments.

Winners are to be announced in January and if Copake should win, the entire process begins again with projects being reviewed and picked.

In response to a question from the crowd, Irwin advised the best way to help Copake win the grant is to write a letter. Irwin also urged the crowd to take the survey on the Copake Waterfronts website.

Go to www.copakewaterfronts.com/nyforward to find the email address to send letters to, take the survey and find out more about the New York Forward Grant and the projects that are being proposed.

Robin Roraback
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