CALLICOON, NY — According to the minutes of the August 27 meeting of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (UDSB), the board voted in favor of renewing its commitment to move forward with creating a visitors’ center in the Callicoon Depot, located at the center of the hamlet.

A 10-year-old grant of $250,000 will be used to pay for some renovations to the building. The minutes say, “Two business plan writers, one from the Mid-Hudson Small Business Association, which is being funded by Callicoon Business Association (CBA), and the other a respected private consultant, only await firmer construction-cost estimates based on the pending conditions assessment performed by Sullivan County Division of Public Works officials to advance their plans.”

The vote came after a lengthy discussion about the relative merits of pursuing a visitors’ center in the Callicoon Depot as opposed to pursuing one in The Narrowsburg Union, the former Narrowsburg School. UDSB member Jane Luchsinger said she preferred the Narrowsburg option.

Brendan and Kathy Weiden bought the former school several years ago, and two years ago he made a proposal to UDSB to open a visitors’ center there. Per the minutes, “Those plans called for occupying around 1,100 square feet with bathrooms, exhibit area, and office space. That vision did not prove economically feasible. Weiden said that The Narrowsburg Union is a 30,000-square- foot, three-story, brick building with a developed parking lot.

“Weiden said they could offer $1/year rent to UDSB in exchange for improving the building. The Union would provide all of the maintenance, electricity, heat and landscaping services. There is currently a Pack & Ship store in the building, and they continue to look for other tenants.”

Nicole Vallance, CBA secretary and Depot Committee chairperson, said, “The Callicoon project is prepared to cover all of the UDSB requirements for a visitors’ center. That includes handicapped accessibility; space for displays, exhibits, literature and programs; ADA-compliant restrooms; and high-speed Internet. Other possibilities envisioned to provide amenities and drive traffic to the center are a café with indoor and outdoor seating; a museum, gallery, gift shop; and work-share space to showcase the arts, crafts, foods, history and attractions of the Upper Delaware Valley.”

Also from the minutes regarding the Callicoon plan, “Architect Buck Moorhead of New York City and Callicoon said that while there are no engineered plans yet, he calculates that $75,000 of the $250,000 grant will be needed for site improvements such as leveling and storm drainage. Parking would be in the existing municipal lot across the street from the depot. He is earmarking $175,000 for interior renovations of the 800-square-foot space blocked out for the visitor center at the required prevailing wage rate.”

The visitors’ center itself would be located in those 800 square feet; it is hoped that other envisioned amenities such as the café, museum and workspace would be developed on the same site by other parties.

Ultimately, six members of the board voted to stay with the Callicoon decision, a commitment they had already made to the CBA; Luchsinger voted no, and one member, Tim Newman, abstained.

Read more about the Visitor's Center in the Publishers Log.