Business Owners Suggest Relocating Planned Peekskill Firehouse
Several business owners in the Crossroads Plaza that would be forced to relocate to make way for a Central Fire Station at the intersection of Main and Broad streets in Peekskill encouraged city officials last week to consider another site.
Four businesses and a mental health clinic in the shopping center are facing having to set up shop elsewhere with Peekskill looking at using eminent domain power to acquire property for the planned 36,000-square-foot, two-story firehouse.
David Pacchiana, owner of Panio Wines & Liquors, which has been in business for 41 years and is one of the businesses that would be replaced by the firehouse, said an underutilized space just south of the shopping center should be explored.
“This plan would be a win, win, win for everyone,” Pacchiana said. “The current plan to use eminent domain has a multitude of losers. Peekskill residents are being burdened with a firehouse that never went out to a vote. It doesn’t feel like the city is behind us. We all have been at our locations for a very long time. You’re trying to take us to a much less desirable location.”
Citing the fact Peekskill reached a deal with the owners of 1141 Main Street to pay $514,000 for property appraised at $325,000, Pacchiana said the cost of the firehouse would be higher than the estimated $15.7 million. He also said tenants of the plaza were contemplating filing a relocation claim against the city.
Arne Paglia, owner of Division Street Grill in Peekskill, said a new firehouse should not be priority for the city.
“I don’t think we can afford the price tag of this. It looks like more than any of us can afford,” Paglia said. “Is this an emergency that has to be addressed now? Maybe we can work with six bays instead of eight bays. There are other alternatives. I have no desire to see eminent domain. Many business owners have grave concerns about the financial impact of this. This is potentially standing in the way of the future of this town.”
Mayor Mary Foster said moving the firehouse south as requested would require the city to purchase private property, realign the roadway and still use eminent domain on part of the shopping center.
“If the city had a lot large enough that we owned we’d be there,” Foster said.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the firehouse can be viewed at City Hall or the library. The public hearing will continue at the Common Council’s September 10 meeting. Written comments can be submitted until September 20. Once the hearing is closed, the council has 60 days to accept the DEIS and 90 days to make a decision on eminent domain.
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