Village Rowing

Hudson River 400

The Half Moon

As many of you are aware, the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration has been moving full steam ahead for the past few months. The Hudson River is 400 years old! That’s cause for celebration. Below is an op-ed written by the Director of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission Tara Sullivan. Please, come out and celebrate the Hudson River this year by attending some of the fantastic events that are being held throughout the year, especially this summer and fall.

Pride in New York’s great history and a commitment to a sustainable economic and environmental future for the Hudson River Valley were in evidence among the thousands of residents and tourists who turned out to welcome the fleet of heritage ships in its stately parade from the Statue of Liberty to Albany, following the course of Henry Hudson’s voyage 400 years ago.

Rowing Club “Learn-to-Row” Day is a Hit!

The “Learn-to-Row” Day held by the North Rockland Rowing Club, sponsored by U.S. Rowing, was held down at the Haverstraw Ferry Landing on Saturday, June 6th. At least 40 new rowers were able to try the rowing machines and go out on the water in the crew shells. It was a great day of learning and exposure to the sport.

There has been great interest in the sport and the Rowing Club from many Haverstraw residents and other Rockland County natives. Feel free to contact the Rowing Club at (845) 942-1030, and ask for Susan or Jerry. Also, visit the website at www.northrocklandrowingclub.org ! It’s VERY fun and rowing exercises the entire body!

Haverstraw/Ossining Ferry is SAFE from Chopping Block

I’m posting just to inform everyone that the existing New York Waterway ferry, with service from Haverstraw to the Ossining Metro-North train station is SAFE from budget cuts. Unfortunately, the recent NY Water Taxi ferry pilot program, with service from Haverstraw to Yonkers and Lower Manhattan will be no more. With the ailing economy, Albany and the federal government has decided to suspend the service from Haverstraw and retain the service running from Yonkers. Most politicians, however, have stated that they hope and envision the reintroduction of the Manhattan-direct ferry service once the economy rebounds. Read more about the suspended NY Water Taxi service here: http://villageofhaverstraw.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/water-taxi-to-suspend-service-from-haverstraw/

Water Taxi to Suspend Service from Haverstraw

I have sad news to report. Amid the depressed regional and national economy, another bright spot in Haverstraw is no more. The New York Water Taxi service, that ferries commuters between Haverstraw, Yonkers, and Lower Manhattan, is facing the budgetary chopping block. Unless the State Legislature can find funds to support the ferry’s dwindling on-board revenues (the bad economy is sucking jobs out of Manhattan), the ferry will be terminated on May 1, 2009. Rockland County has worked very diligently to supply Rockland commuters with a “one-seat” ride to Manhattan via ferry. The County is choosing their words carefully when they say the service will be “suspended,” hinting that they may reinstate the services when the economy rebounds. This suspension does not affect the wildly successful New York Waterway ferry services that operates from Haverstraw to Ossining. Unfortunately, by the time the economy does rebound, we will be facing $5.00 gasoline once again, and this time, we’ll be LESS prepared. Thank you New York State!

Rowing Club is Welcomed to the Village

The North Rockland Rowing Club, Inc., a non-profit group (501c-3) that fosters rowing on the Hudson River, has made a commitment to Haverstraw. The Club, formerly of Stony Point, will operate out of the Elks’ Club/Admiral’s Cove Marina, also known as the “gap” by Haverstraw natives. A 60 foot, low profile dock and ramp has been installed at the western end of the Marina and can be accessed at the small boathouse, formerly of the Hudson-Bergen Yacht Club, which was acquired by Ginsburg Development a few years ago to make way for Admiral’s Cove.

The Picturesque Hudson

In a fantastic account of the Hudson River towns, The Picturesque Hudson, author Clifton Johnson paints an elaborate and detailed picture of Haverstraw and surrounding communities in 1909. Haverstraw is described as a vibrant village with a rich history, even 100 years ago. I have attached Chapter IX: Haverstraw & Stony Point. The account reads as follows:

THE ferries on the Hudson between New York and Albany average about twenty miles apart, and often when I wanted to go from one side to some place directly opposite, my choice lay between a long and inconvenient journey around, or hiring a special conveyance. Thus it happened that I voyaged to Haverstraw by motor boat from a village on the east shore. The river here is at its widest — four miles is the official figure, but my skipper called it five and I suppose charged accordingly. The sun had set, and the western haze was suffused with color. As we cut rapidly through the water the shore toward which we were going became less vague and I could see the clustering buildings of a town with lofty hills of irregular outline behind. The most conspicuous peak in this range of hills is known as High Tor, and a local legend relates that one of the wise men of the East long ago found his way to America and on the summit of High Tor built an altar. This aroused the Indians to demand that he should worship as they did, and when he refused, they were so enraged that they prepared to attack and kill him. But he was saved by a miracle — for an earthquake opened a great gaping crack in the earth and engulfed his enemies. This crack is the channel through which the Hudson now flows.

New Website for the Harbors at Haverstraw

Ginsburg Development Companies has just updated its website for the Harbors at Haverstraw luxury waterfront community, currently under construction in Haverstraw. Phase I of the project is about 75% complete. Already, hundreds have moved into their new homes in Haverstraw. Most of the large condominium buildings & clubhouse building are also complete. The Harbors at Haverstraw is only the first of three waterfront communities that are planned to grace the banks of the Hudson River in the Village of Haverstraw.

The above was brought to you by www.HaverstrawLife.com

Main Street Ferry Terminal Designs Take Form

McLaren Engineering Group of West Nyack has been working diligently on the design of the Ferry Terminal, retail spaces, and parking garage that is to be situated at the foot of Main Street in the Village. The massive project will allow for the New York Waterway Ferry and New York Water Taxi service to move from the current ferry landing to the foot of Main Street and at Emeline Park for broader access by Village and regional residents. The project is viewed as a long-awaited catalyst to return the Village downtown to its former splendor. Many residents and commuters are excited for the new ferry facility and pier. Officials believe that project will be operational within the next three years. Here are notable renderings from the project:

Waterfront Plan Haverstraw

The Foot of Main Street

www.mgmclaren.com

The View is Clear on Broadway!

Finally, we have seen progress on Broadway with the demolition of the former automotive shop on the corner of Jefferson Street and Broadway and the vacant cinder block structure to the north of the Lady Warren Hose Company firehouse. The demolition of those structures has opened up a view to Bowline Pond. The structures were not historically significant and were mostly likely built after the 1970s. The site will eventually become a ceremonial entrance to the Haverstraw Village Greenway, which is to extend from Bowline Pond to Emeline Park and then to the southern end of the Harbors at Haverstraw.

The Village recently won a $1 Million grant from the State of New York’s Environmental Protection Fund to continue work on the greenway at Emeline Park, to connect that section of the path to the existing promenade at the Harbors at Haverstraw. When completed before the end of 2009, the promenade and surrounding park will become known as the Henry Hudson Quadricentennial Park in honor of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery of the river that bears his name.

Calendar Note: Hudson Ferry-Go-Round 9/14/08

Keep in mind that the 2008 Annual Hudson Ferry-Go-Round and Haverstraw International Street Fair are set to commence on Sunday, September 14th. Ferries run all day from 11AM to 6PM between Peekskill, Haverstraw, Ossining, and Sleepy Hollow. All-day ferry passes are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, and FREE for kids aged 17 and under. The Haverstraw International Street Fair includes hundreds of local and regional vendors lining Main Street, Broadway, and the New York Waterway and NY Water Taxi ferry landing. Local stores will be open all day and will most likely host special events and hold limited sales. The street fair and ferry-go-round has been growing larger every year, with more than 15,000 patrons visiting last year. Events at other ferry landings include: “Ossining Treasures: an Arts Festival,” “A Taste of Peekskill,” the Sleep Hollow Street Fair. The public can board the ferries at designated ferry docks on a first-come, first-serve basis every 40 to 60 minutes. For more information, please visit:www.eventsonhudson.org

Lower Fares for Water Taxi Start May 1!

The New York Water Taxi is lowering its fares from Haverstraw and Yonkers to Lower Manhattan! At a time when other modes of commute are getting costlier due to higher gas prices, tolls, and train fares, the ferry route is getting cheaper. The Water Taxi is lowering its fares ahead of the summer season, in hopes of increasing ridership on the ferry. The new fare from Haverstraw to Lower Manhattan are $12.00 one-way, down from $15.00. The new fare from Yonkers to Lower Manhattan is $10.00 one-way, down from $12.00. Rides between Yonkers and Haverstraw will now be $5.00. Visit the New York Water Taxi website for more information: http://www.nywatertaxi.com/commuters/hudsonriver/

New York Waterway Ferry Service to Ossining Breaks All Records

Since 2001, the New York Waterway ferry service to Ossining from Haverstraw has been ushering commuters to and from the MetroNorth Railroad Hudson Line that provides service to Grand Central Terminal in midtown Manhattan. At the time of its inception, the ferry was only expected to carry up to 200 passengers a day to and from Ossining. Today, to much excitement, the ferry service provides over 250 daily rides and is expected to continue to grow by nearly 5% or more each year in the future. Planners and politicians cite rising gas prices, roadway toll increase, and increasing congestion on area highways as reasons for the high ridership and even higher ridership projections for the ferry. The MTA and NY Waterway hope to expand the service in the near future to include more off-peak service, which includes midday and late-night rides. Haverstraw residents are excited for the service expansions as they will be able to use the ferry for more than just commuting, like nights out on the town and excursions in the city. The ferry service has also received heavy funding from the federal government to build and operate out of a new ferry pier and terminal at the foot of Main Street in Emeline Park in the Village of Haverstraw.

Chair Factory Eminent Domain Will Likely Move Forward

The Supreme Court Appellate Division in White Plains has ruled to deny the owners of the Empire State Chair Factory site the ability to resist eminent domain proceedings by the Village of Haverstraw. The site is included in the Village urban renewal district and is the third phase of waterfront development. The Village will condemn the property and then hand it over for development by Ginsburg Development Companies (GDC). The legal proceedings have put the project on hold for almost four years; the ferries (NY Water Taxi and NY Waterway) are to be moved to the end of Main Street to a new pier and phased construction of structured parking and retail can then continue at the site. The current site owners have said that they plan to refine their appeal; they will not give up their fight. It seems, though, that their fight is hopeless and they are only delaying much-needed development on the waterfront.

Water Taxi Sets Sail!

The New York Water Taxi set sail from the Haverstraw Ferry Landing for the first time this morning. The ferry departed from Haverstraw at 6:15AM, made one stop in Yonkers, and continued on to the World Financial Center and then Pier 11 on Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. Visit the New York Water Taxi website for more information here.