NARROWSBURG, NY— Despite cold feet, on September 25, the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (UDSB) voted to move forward with plans to house the first Upper Scenic Byway visitor center at the Callicoon Depot.

After failed attempts to create a visitor center in the past, the UDSB, an organization that protects and promotes the Delaware River byway (aka Route 97) and its resources, still meets in the building of its “sister” organization, the Upper Delaware Council’s.

Plans to change that are now officially moving forward as the UDSB reaffirmed intentions to move to the Callicoon Depot.

The visitor center project at the Callicoon Depot involves three parties: the Calicoon Business Association, the holder of the railroad company lease and current fiduciary for the depot; Callicoon Depot Inc., the nonprofit organization established to manage the project overall; and the UDSB, which will develop the visitor center.

Exploring options
As the depot project has been the subject of community contention, members expressed uncertainty whether to move forward with the location, and requested the UDSB look into whether there was a viable option to exit the partnership and to create a plan that was non-damaging to all parties.

One member worried the project could trigger “the planning board to start a dark review.” Members expressed concern that there could be pushback at some point along the oversight process. Project plans may have to undergo review by the Town of Delaware’s planning board or zoning board of appeals, as well as the Upper Delaware Council and the National Park Service.
A suggestion to look at backup locations for the visitor center, in the event of regulatory obstacles and to alleviate stress on the project, was proposed.

UDSB chairperson Richard Lowe voiced his support to move forward. “If we constantly have this evaluation process and reevaluation process it creates discomfort. It creates the sense that someone can back out and the whole point of going towards a shared service agreement… is to solidify our relationship and to make sure everyone has footing, character and quality of knowing the business we intend to be,” he said.

Other items discussed
After discussion, the UDSB increased its the application request for funds from the Sullivan County 2024 Discretionary Contracts Grant from $25,000 to $40,000.

The organization is also working on an $25,000 grant contract application from the New York State Office of Family and Child Services.

On a lighter note, in researching a 17-cent bill, the UDSB was informed that the charge was from a Canadian calling the UDSB-run information line.

Someone from Canada was, perhaps, researching and planning a trip to the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway. Perfect timing for a beautiful fall drive.