BELLEAYRE REGION NEWS         

 

 

 

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

 

Belleayre Resort Project

         

                            The big news in the region was the announcement by Governor Spitzer of the approval of the Belleayre

Resort Project, on September 5, 2007. The $400 million project will add 1,800 construction jobs over an 8 year period,

which in itself will be a significant shot in the arm to the local economy?  Work is expected to begin in September of this year. In

addition, the project will add 450 permanent jobs to the area, as well as $4 million in additional tax revenues from property taxes

and from sales taxes. (Note: The counties get one-half of the sales taxes; the State gets the other half.). This increase in tax

revenues could easily result in a decrease in local property taxes.  The Governor called this project “a win for everyone”. And,

he is right. The area needs the economic shot in the arm, this project will provide

 

Expansion of Belleayre Ski Center

 

                                                         As part of the Belleayre Resort project approval, there will be a significant build out of the

 Belleayre Ski Center.  Belleayre will acquire the old Highmount Ski Center property adjacent to Belleayre, which could nearly

double Belleayre’s size. Rumor has it that this could include a ski lift or gondola coming right down to the Village of Fleischmanns.

(Can we say Aspen of the East Coast?)

 

Some Lingering Opposition to the Belleayre Resort Project ???

                                                                                                 Even after a compromise brokered by the Governor’s Office,

(Under this compromise, most major objectors to the project signed on), there is still a vocal minority opposed to the project

because they feel that they did not get their own way. Some people who purchased property in the area seem to think that they

purchased the mountains too. This is definitely not the case.   However, support for the Project has welled up in the form of

Partners for Progress, in response to this opposition.  You can go to their website at  www.supportthecompromise.com. Here

you can find answers to a number of unfounded and/or false rumors that are being circulated about the Project. This small minority

should not be allowed to hold back progress in the Catskills which would benefit the greater majority of citizens and businesses

here.

 

Construction of Sanitary Sewers in Fleischmanns

 

                                                                                  Under an agreement between New York City and the Federal Government,

New York City has paid to install a sanitary sewer system in the Village of Fleischmanns. All the sewer lines have been installed;

the sewerage treatment plant is completed and up and running and most properties have already connected to the system. This is a

significant step forward for the Village of Fleischmanns. The sewerage system will allow for more restaurants and commercial

operations in the Village, as well as provide for an increase in property values in the Village (Usually about 15 % according to real

estate experts.)

 

 

Fleischmanns First Revitalization

                                                         The Belleayre Resort Project is expected to have a major impact on the Village of Fleischmanns.

A number of interested citizens –young families, full and part-time homeowners, retirees, business people, elected and appointed

officials and members of Fleischmanns civic organizations – have formed an ad hoc group that seeks to help Fleischmanns become

a thriving and successful community again. The group meets every month to discuss plans for improving the Village. To get on the

E mail list, send a request to joan@markproject.org, please put Fleischmanns First in the subject line. For information, between

meeting updates, you can phone Morells @ (845) 254-6316 or Pascarellas @ (845) 254-6599. You can also obtain information

and assistance from M-ARK Project @ (845) 586-3500.

 

The next meeting of the Fleischmanns First Group will be on Saturday Jan. 5 TH at 9:30 – 11:30 AM at the La Cabana on Main

Street in Fleischmanns. The group will also meet Thursday Jan. 11 TH at the Fleischmanns Community Church on Main Street,

Fleischmanns.

 

 

 

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Contact Us:  If you have any questions, or would like to add a news item, you can e mail us:  info@belleayre.net