Harckham, Stewart-Cousins Announce $2.5M for Road Improvements for Two Putnam Economic Development Projects

Brewster, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham and State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, joined by Putnam County officials and local business leaders, announced today that $2.5 million of state grant funding is being allocated for two separate road improvement projects aimed at boosting economic development in the county.

The two state grants—awarded to Putnam County for the Town of Southeast and to the Town of Patterson, which total $1,085,000 and $1,415,000 respectively—will enable significant roadway improvements to be made for the ongoing Stateline Retail / Restaurant Depot project on Route 6 in Brewster and the Patterson Crossing Retail Center on Route 311.

“I am pleased to have been able to secure this funding for necessary roadway expansion tied to these two exciting Putnam County development projects,” said Harckham. “Both the Restaurant Depot and Patterson Crossing retail centers will provide a tremendous boost to the economy on this side of the county, bringing with them jobs and a wide array of business activities. Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins’s support for this grant funding was crucial, and I thank her for helping to see it through.”

“As New York State looks to strengthen its economy, right now and post-pandemic, we will continue to partner with municipalities to foster projects that bring new jobs to the region and increase financial resources for schools and community services,” said Stewart-Cousins. “These two ambitious, well-planned projects will benefit residents of Putnam County and elsewhere in so many ways, and I am happy to see them moving forward.”

The two projects are expected to create hundreds of jobs and generate millions of dollars of tax revenues.

The Stateline Retail / Restaurant Depot project, for instance, is expected to create 223 person years of construction jobs, and once the center is fully operational there will be approximately 269 full and part time jobs. The fully built out project’s real estate taxes would increase to about $550,000 a year (from the present $60,000), with about 80% going to the Brewster School District.

The Patterson Crossing project is expected to create 151 person years of construction jobs, and when the center is operational 516 full and part time jobs. The project’s real estate taxes for the property will increase to about $840,000, with $600,000 going to the Carmel School District.

In terms of sales tax revenue, it is estimated the Stateline project alone will generate $4.8 million annually, and the Patterson Crossing project over $13 million annually, with New York State and Putnam County basically splitting the receipts. These figures only include anticipated taxes from purchases made by New York residents. Since the Connecticut border is so close by, even more sales tax is to be expected.

“This project has been in the works for a long time, and I’m grateful that it is coming to fruition,” said Town of Patterson Supervisor Richard Williams. “I appreciate the support that Senators Harckham and Stewart-Cousins have shown for moving everything forward. Our residents will benefit greatly from these new developments.”

Kathleen Ables, President of the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation, added, “Consumer spending is the biggest driver of the economy in Putnam County, so these developments are a real game changer for us. This is a critical location—it’s the gateway to both the county and the state. So, funding for road improvements that will enhance access to both development sites is key.”

The grant funding for road improvements connected to the Stateline Retail / Restaurant Depot project will include widening Route 6 for a total length of 1,750 feet to create separate left turn lanes at the realigned intersection of Farrington Road and the project site. The work will require median closures, road reconstruction, new drainage and striping improvements. Signal upgrades, with state-of-the-art technology, will be made as well on the I-684 north- and southbound ramps.

Meanwhile, the funding connected to the Patterson Crossing project will continue the widening of the turning lanes on Route 311 near the project site and add substantial signal upgrades along Routes 311 and 52.

Town of Kent Supervisor Maureen Fleming noted at the funding announcement that the Patterson Crossing Retail Center project is just across Kent’s town border with Patterson. “We’re excited about this development because we know it will spur a great deal of economic activity across the county,” she said.