TUSTEN, NY — The pavilion proposed for Tusten Multi-Generational Park continues to move forward amid strong opinions both for and against the project.

The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) greenlighted the pavilion, declaring it in substantial conformance with the river management plan. 

The National Park Service (NPS) will now review the UDC’s decision and the project plan. A review is required before the project can move forward.

Supervisor Ben Johnson said the building department reviewed the size-amended plans drawn up by the architectural firm Charles G. Woods and Associates. The town now plans to ask for construction bids.

The building department is making minor design and structural adjustments before the plan goes out to bid, said Johnson. The department said decreasing the number of beams in the proposal and adding tongue-and-groove sheathing under the roof will save money. 

Johnson said the architectural firm will have an amended plan ready in a week. The previously projected May/June timeline for the return of construction bids still remains.

But bids will give only an initial idea of the cost. Johnson said the pavilion will eventually need to include a flush toilet built to planning and zoning regulations that the initial plan does not include. The bids and cost estimates won’t include a flush toilet either, he said.

A parks and public spaces committee formed as a direct result of the conflict over the pavilion said they completed a first draft of the booking proposal for the pavilion. Members will have the next month to review.

The next step is to obtain a floodplain certificate, which Johnson said is necessary before any construction can be done on a floodplain.