Politics & Government

Town Accepts Grant For Downtown Development Plan

The town board accepts a $50,000 grant for re-zoning the parking area near the Harrison Train Station, a step toward development in the area.

In a small step toward major changes to the Halstead Avenue business district, the town board has accepted a $50,000 grant to pay for re-zoning of a parking area near the Harrison Train Station.

The 2007 grant, entitled Environmental Protection Funds -- Smart Growth, is one step in a 12 step process that would approve the construction of shops and apartments near the station. The area is now a parking lot.

Part of the proposal, which is being collaborated with the MTA, would also build a parking garage in the area to make up for the lost parking.

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

The $50,000 grant will cover expenses to re-zone the area so that the parcel of land will match the downtown area as far as height of buildings and the usage of the area for apartments and retail.

Approval to sign the agreement was granted during a special town board meeting Friday morning.

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

"They have committed to it so presumably we have it," said Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh. "But I don't ever believe it until I have it in my hand so that is why I wanted to move forward."

Walsh said on Friday that although most of the twelve steps have been completed, accepting the grant is only a small step toward final approval with several meetings and discussions still to come before any construction is finalized.

Plans for additions in the area date back to the previous administration in 2004, when the town was considering using the area for municipal purposes. But Wash said that after consulting with the planning board she supports adding commercial buildings and apartments.

"It's the most important corner in the entire town as far as retail goes," she said. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here