New Clarkstown Senior Development May Replace Historic Train Station

Mindy Cohn 

The Clarkstown Town Board will vote tomorrow on an important land purchase that would allow developers to tear down the historic New City Branch train station. 

The station operated from 1875 to 1939 on a piece of land on Route 304 intended for the Vanderbilt Grande Senior housing project. It is the last ??????? ???????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ????????. 

Jeff Weinberger, a developer for the senior housing project, is willing to trade a larger parcel on Route 9W in Valley Cottage to the Town for approval to build on the historic land. One stipulation is that the Town will also pay Weinberger $125,000 for the 7.7 acres. According to CUPON Clarkstown, developers plan to build four 4-story buildings with 100 two-bedroom rental apartments, including six affordable units, a community center, and 250 parking spaces.

The Town benefits from this land swap because the privately-owned land on Route 9W is needed for the Long Path hiking trail on West Hook Mountain. Understandably, NY/NJ Trail Conference members support this land acquisition by the Town.

In the past, the Town looked into moving and restoring the old train station. However, this was deemed unfeasible due to its excessively deteriorated condition. 

The Town Board will vote tomorrow, August 22, on the open space acquisition.