Plans for neighboring Hyde Park will protect historic town’s charm

Shahreen Saifi Guest Writer

Hyde Park, the former hometown of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Vanderbilt family, has been known for its landmarks, inns and small shows, as well as the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Four years ago, the town developed plans to ensure that “historic” did not mean “outdated,” and in July 2005 the town board took a decisive step towards development by releasing the newest draft of its comprehensive plan.

Currently, two proposals are in the process of being approved by town officials that could radically transform the town of Hyde Park into a more tourist-friendly environment.

The first, proposed by Lauter Development, suggests transforming 156 acres of land into a country club, fully accessorized with an inn and spa, and an outdoor theater to use for plays and musicals. The area would also serve as host to Hyde Park’s new retirement home.

The second proposal, by Gagne Development of Stamford, Connecticut and the Baker Companies of Pleasantville, New York, pertains to a more commercial sector of town. The proposal will take 340 acres of woods and transform them into a pseudo-urban mishmash of shops and restaurants.

Additional attractions to the sector, tentatively named St. Andrews at Historic Hyde Park, include a hotel with an attached conference center. There will also be office buildings and living spaces (mostly apartments and condominiums) intended to cater to the student population of the CIA, as well as the other area colleges (Vassar, Bard, and Marist).

There will be a residential sector set for Hyde Park residents, but the bulk of the area will remain open walking space. “We are basically a tourist-oriented town,” said Town Supervisor Pompey Delafield. “We created a new area for the specific purpose [of attracting more tourists].”

He insisted, however, that this will not change the town dynamic, and that residents support the new developments as long as they don’t interfere with how the town is run. “We’re working very hard so that that does not happen,” said Delafied. “We’re trying to ensure [that] how they do it is compatible with a small town feel.”

The town will allow only certain, preferably small retailers to set up shop in the commercial area. “We’re looking for stores will fit into a small town atmosphere. Particularly locally-based stores,” said Delafield.

These changes will hopefully have an effect on the Vassar community. Students often complain about feeling bound to the campus. “I haven’t really used many of the facilities outside Vassar,” said Margaret Dwyr ’09. “I’ve found it’s difficult to get off campus without a car.”

Will Walsh ’10 expressed excitement about having a new attraction nearby: “Knowing that there’s an area where we could go [makes] me want to explore outside campus more.”