BETHLEHEM –The Town of Bethlehem has announced that it will kick off its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Update, as well as the Henry Hudson Park Master Plan Update, on Wednesday, Oct. 19, with a public workshop at the Cedar Hill Schoolhouse located at 1003 River Road.
Bethlehem residents, business owners, property owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend an informal open house that will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., during which time the the project will be introduced and information will be gathered regarding needs and opportunities associated with the projects through a series of interactive stations. The open house will culminate in a formal presentation at 7 p.m., at which time the public will be provided with an overview of the LWRP process and a summary of input gathered throughout the day.
Ideas generated from the meeting will be utilized throughout the LWRP Update, which will be guided by the Local Waterfront Revitalization Advisory Group (LWRAG), a nine-person committee chaired by Robert Leslie, the town’s Director of Economic Development and Planning. “Our goal is to develop a plan that meets the varying needs of the community and sets forth a guide for Bethlehem to be known as a unique waterfront community,”said Leslie.
The LWRP Update will “promote the Town’s vision for the waterfront, guide the future of the Town of Bethlehem waterfront through land use, economic development, and environmental conservation, and identify a detailed process for implementation.” The LWRP is being prepared with funding provided by the New York State through the Environmental Protection Fund.
“We expect to create an innovative, bold plan for our waterfront that reflects a community consensus,” said Bethlehem Town Supervisor John Clarkson. “This will help us maximize the benefits of being a riverfront community, preserve the area’s special characteristics and create more recreational and economic opportunities.”
In addition to the open house at Cedar Hill, there will also be a walk-and-talk at Henry Hudson Park from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday
Additional public workshops will be scheduled to allow opportunity for more public engagement. More information about the additional meetings will be advertised to the public and posted on the Town of Bethlehem website.