Mayor Hints of Deal in Works for Lighthouse Landing

The mayor said talks are ongoing between the village, residents, the developer, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and interested environmental groups such as the Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson, to reach an agreement on the specifics and scope of the project. "There is a disparity right now on what should be done," Zegarelli said.

While he would not provide any further specifics, the mayor indicated that if and when the project's plans are finalized, the density of the development, that some observers say could cost about $1 billion to complete, will be reduced. He also indicated that the mix of residential and commercial use at the site may be modified. He said that the village seeks more condominium units and less rental apartments and is also looking for the developer to include some live-work loft space in its plans.

The project, which is before the village seeking final approval on its Environmental Impact Statement, right now calls for 1,562 housing units, 185,000 sf of retail including a three-to-four screen fine arts cinema, a 50,000-sf office building and a 177-room hotel. In addition to a host of amenities, the project's main goal is to open the waterfront to the public and create a "Green Crescent" of public park area near and around the waterfront. A total of one-third of the project's 94.5 acres is earmarked for open space.

Roseland Property Group of Short Hills, NJ is partnering on the project with General Motors. The mix of the residential units according to the plans now before the village includes 922 rental apartments, 216 condominiums, 224 townhomes and 200 senior citizen apartments, 100 of which will be affordable units set aside for municipal workers, teachers and village volunteers. Roseland's Stein confirmed that the project's density might be reduced, but noted that the development will still involve well over 1,000 housing units when finalized. The mayor and Stein estimated that construction on the project, which would initially involve the demolition of the remaining slab of the assembly plant, could begin by this time next year.