Politics & Government

Public Hearing to Determine Fate of Journal News Property

A proposal to replace the Journal News printing operations center on Gannet Drive with a 209,000 square foot fitness facility is gaining momentum.

Final approval to demolish the soon-to-be-vacant Journal News building on Gannett Drive could come within the next two months, as the town of Harrison has approved a public hearing to discuss the issue on Nov. 16.

Lifetime Fitness, a Minnesota-based fitness company, hopes to build a new 209,000 square-foot fitness center on the 22.4 acre property currently occupied by the Journal News. Under the proposal the current building would be torn down and replaced.

The Harrison Planning Board approved the necessary permits on Sept. 27, leaving the town board as the only body standing between Lifetime Fitness and final approval.

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The lavish site plan for the fitness center calls for a separate children's gym, more than 400 pieces of exercise equipment, squash and racquetball courts and a two-story rock climbing wall. It would also include three swimming pools, two basketball courts and a full-service spa.

Once constructed, Lifetime Fitness estimates the center would bring 200 new jobs with it as well.

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Journal News, meanwhile, would move its operations away from the site entirely. The newspaper company has already outsourced its printing operations, but still has offices there. Gannett has been looking to sell the property for nearly two years.

Support for the project has been visible from the town board side since the project was introduced in May. Upon viewing the original proposal, board members gushed at the idea of bringing a useful new business to a part of Harrison's Platinum Mile that is secluded from residential neighborhoods.

Public input will be accepted at the Nov. 16 meeting before the board considers final approval.


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