Sullivan defends visitors center vote

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County legislators voted 6-3 on October 18 to move forward with the creation of a visitors center in the Town of Thompson with an estimated cost of $4.5 million, although at least one legislator expects the cost to be lower as actual figures come in. The vote authorizes the $425,000 purchase of 21 acres of property on Rock Hill Drive that will house the center.

A press release underscores that while the county will bond the project, the cost of the center will ultimately not be paid for by local taxpayers. Instead, it will be paid for by the so-called room tax or occupancy tax that is paid by visitors to the county who stay in hotels, motels, B&Bs and other accommodations.

Nevertheless, county chair Louis Alvarez said he did not have enough information about the project to go forward. Legislator Nadia Rajsz said she heard from many people, both within her district and not, that they opposed spending so much money on a visitors center. Legislator Catherine Owens also voted against it.

The press release from the county praised the decision. “As a prime tourist destination, the county needs a visitors center that will show off the best we have to offer and will also adequately house our designated tourism agency, which is currently the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (SCVA),” said legislator Scott Samuelson. “The facility will be right off Route 17’s Exit 109 in the heart of Rock Hill’s downtown business district.” The release from the county says that Sullivan County does not currently have a visitors center although SCVA occupiesoffices on Sullivan Avenue in Liberty.

Critics say that in the age of the internet, when travelers typically research their travel destinations online, a large bricks and mortar facility is not necessary. Legislator Ira Steingart countered that argument.

“Even in this age of digital access to information, it’s important and useful to have a physical facility where people can find all the resources they need to access and improve tourism opportunities in Sullivan County staffed by the people who know how to use and share those resources,” said Steingart.

The county envisions that the new visitors center “will include a building of up to 8,000 square feet housing brochures and displays, with meeting rooms and space for pop-up venues, art and history exhibits, promotional events, vending machines and comfort stations. Outdoor features will include a farmers’ market, picnic area, dog run and nature trail highlighting the pristine beauty of the Sullivan Catskills.”

Currently, state law requires that 85 percent of the occupancy tax be spent to promote tourism through the SCVA. With the coming of the casino, the water park, other facilities and the Airbnb agreement, the occupancy tax has increased substantially in recent years. According to the county press release, “In 2018, occupancy tax receipts demonstrated a 44.9 percent increase over 2017 numbers.”

SCVA says that this has sparked an increase in local sales tax revenue to the tune of $33 million. A change to the way the occupancy tax is spent would require a change in state law. Owens suggested the county should take a look at that possibility. Others said the question should be further studied.

Steven Vegliante, supervisor of the Town of Fallsburg and chair of the Sullivan County Democratic Committee, wrote in a social media post, “Rather than attack or support this vague proposal, we should begin a discussion about how best to direct the SCVA to support tourism using the room tax dollars we (our government) collect. Let me start by saying that I believe that each legislator voted for what they thought would benefit the county. While it is technically correct that taxpayers won’t pay for the center, all legislators owe their residents the duty to ensure that the room tax dollars collected be used in the most productive way possible.”

He concluded that while SCVA deserves new offices—perhaps sharing with other economic development agencies—this particular proposal deserves further investigation by county legislators and those seeking the office.