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Business & Tech

Journal News Departure Leaves Questions

Sale of Harrison property could take time, require zoning change

The announcement that The Journal News, a Gannett newspaper, will be selling its Harrison headquarters and cutting jobs left several questions that are still unanswered, including whether or not a zoning change would go through.

Earlier this month, Gannett announced plans to cut 166 jobs and put its Harrison office and production facility at 1 Gannett Drive up for sale. The jobs will be cut by outsourcing its printing and mailing operations.

The Journal News and the Poughkeepsie Journal are now printed there.

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According to President and Publisher Michael J. Fisch, the printing and packaging operations will be moved to Rockaway, N.J. beginning with the March 8 editions. Fisch said the move is not a precursor to a reduction in home delivery days.

The 232,000-square-foot office and warehouse facilities and 25 acres of land have been listed with commercial real estate firm CB Richard Ellis.

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"It's a desirable parcel because of its size and it's a little different because it has warehouse office space and substantial parking. So from that standpoint, it is somewhat unique," Fisch said.

However, one thing that could stand in the way of the property sale is its zoning designation.

"We will be working with Harrison officials on a zoning designation change because it's currently a newspaper specific zone," Fisch said.

Multiple attempts to reach officials from the the Harrison Planning and Zoning Department went unreturned. However, Planning and Zoning Secretary Rosemarie Cusumano said that in seven years she's only seen one zoning change go through. 

The only way a zoning designation would be unnecessary is if another newspaper company purchases the facility.

Howard Sturman, publisher for Hometown Media Newspaper Company, declined to comment on whether or not the company is interested in purchasing the property.

"I have no comment on business matters," Sturman said.

Depending on who purchases the property, Fisch said The Journal News would either lease office space back, or lease office space elsewhere along the I-287 corridor.

The Mount Kisco bureau of The Journal News won't be affected by the changes, Fisch said.

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