News
PARC Foundation pulls plug on new public space plan
By Jamie Larson
The PARC Foundation, which was responsible for the creation of Linear Park between Warren and Columbia streets at the 300 block, announced Tuesday that it will not move forward with its ambitious 2+4 plan.
The 2+4 plan involved using the revenue from both low-income and higher rent apartments in the city owned by the foundation, grants and investments to enrich the communities living in Hudson’s 2nd and 4th wards, with a variety of public spaces, services and amenities.
The neighborhood improvements envisioned by county resident David Deutsch, founder of PARC, which stands for Parks Arts Recreation Culture, included outdoor spaces, housing, a grocery store, a year-round indoor pool, an ice-skating rink, a inter-generational center, bike paths and the potential for any number of other things the community desired.
In light of the recession and a dismal market study commissioned by PARC, the 2+4 plan has been shelved by the foundation, and it will not be actively working on it unless funds from an outside source present themselves.
“We regret to announce that the project will not be moving forward at this time.” PARC said in a statement Tuesday, “In the current economy, we were not able to identify strong enough market support and financing for the proposed development.”
Reached by phone Deutsch said he was extreme disappointed when he realized that PARC wouldn’t be able to make 2+4 to reality. “I’m totally depressed about it,” Deutsch said. “There are no funds available right now. There’s just nothing.”
PARC was relying on the federal and state tax credits to fund the majority of the project and the recession has made access to those credits nearly impossible.
The foundation is still interested in moving forward with plans to expand Linear Park at State Street, putting in green space of comparable size to the one on Warren. Deutsch says he would like to see a small community group get together to work on the plan for the park expansion. He says they will only move forward if there is community interest. PARC also thanked Mayor Richard Scalera for his support of the project.
Scalera said the 2+4 idea had some attractive elements, like the grocery store and housing ideas, but admitted he was skeptical about the some of the more extravagant aspects. Despite his weariness he said he wasn’t about to stand in the way of people wanting to develop in Hudson. He said it was a very big plan and while he never expected all of it to take shape it is unfortunate they weren’t able to get funding for some of the more needed elements.
The mayor said at first he and Deutsch didn’t “have a clear understanding” of one another but they have come to work together well. “He’s truly committed to making this community a better place and I applaud him for that.”
Scalera considers PARC’s plan to continue working on Linear Park an example of that commitment. “They had a dream and a vision for Hudson,” he said. “They just scaled it way back.
The 2+4 plan involved using the revenue from both low-income and higher rent apartments in the city owned by the foundation, grants and investments to enrich the communities living in Hudson’s 2nd and 4th wards, with a variety of public spaces, services and amenities.
The neighborhood improvements envisioned by county resident David Deutsch, founder of PARC, which stands for Parks Arts Recreation Culture, included outdoor spaces, housing, a grocery store, a year-round indoor pool, an ice-skating rink, a inter-generational center, bike paths and the potential for any number of other things the community desired.
In light of the recession and a dismal market study commissioned by PARC, the 2+4 plan has been shelved by the foundation, and it will not be actively working on it unless funds from an outside source present themselves.
“We regret to announce that the project will not be moving forward at this time.” PARC said in a statement Tuesday, “In the current economy, we were not able to identify strong enough market support and financing for the proposed development.”
Reached by phone Deutsch said he was extreme disappointed when he realized that PARC wouldn’t be able to make 2+4 to reality. “I’m totally depressed about it,” Deutsch said. “There are no funds available right now. There’s just nothing.”
PARC was relying on the federal and state tax credits to fund the majority of the project and the recession has made access to those credits nearly impossible.
The foundation is still interested in moving forward with plans to expand Linear Park at State Street, putting in green space of comparable size to the one on Warren. Deutsch says he would like to see a small community group get together to work on the plan for the park expansion. He says they will only move forward if there is community interest. PARC also thanked Mayor Richard Scalera for his support of the project.
Scalera said the 2+4 idea had some attractive elements, like the grocery store and housing ideas, but admitted he was skeptical about the some of the more extravagant aspects. Despite his weariness he said he wasn’t about to stand in the way of people wanting to develop in Hudson. He said it was a very big plan and while he never expected all of it to take shape it is unfortunate they weren’t able to get funding for some of the more needed elements.
The mayor said at first he and Deutsch didn’t “have a clear understanding” of one another but they have come to work together well. “He’s truly committed to making this community a better place and I applaud him for that.”
Scalera considers PARC’s plan to continue working on Linear Park an example of that commitment. “They had a dream and a vision for Hudson,” he said. “They just scaled it way back.
Copyright © 2010 - The Register Star Online