How Far Would You Travel to See This?

The Hudson Valley Trust pedestrian bridge, paid for by taxpayers TJ Haley As New York State drowns in debt and taxes continue to rise in what is America’s tenth most highly-taxed county, many Putnam taxpayers are wondering whether their money has been wisely spent. In the coming weeks, the Courier will highlight a variety of government expenditures so that readers may know more about what politicians do with public dollars.

In July 2008, the Hudson Valley Trust Pedestrian Bridge was completed with public money off Routes 311 and 164 behind the Lawlor Building in Patterson, ostensibly to promote tourism, bird watching, and other activities. A construction expert told the Courier that the covered bridge, which leads over a creek from the Lawlor building parking lot to an unkempt field, is of “unmatchable quality.” The construction of the footbridge was funded at least in part by a $250,000 grant from the New York Economic Development Program (NYEDP) under the authority of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).

A close-up view of the covered footbridge, which is behind the Lawlor Building in Patterson. The bridge was funded at least in part by a $250,000 grant under the authority of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. TJ Haley Originally DASNY just provided nonprofit higher education and health care institutions with access to capital markets and construction project management services, as well as financing products to support capital investment. They are known for granting bonds to non-profits and groups that relate to certain categories such as education and health. It is unclear how a pedestrian footbridge would fit into their purview, and, as of press time, the Courier was still waiting for comment from representatives from both DASNY and the New York State Education Department.

According to its 2008 Form 990, the Hudson Valley Trust “completed construction of a pedestrian footbridge that will promote tourism and advocate recreational opportunities by providing greater accessibility from its offices and parking lot to the 47 acres of the rolling green pastures which lead to environmentally sensitive wetlands that border the historic great swamp. These lands are frequented by birdwatchers, environmental study groups, and others.”

The purchase of that 47-acre parcel was itself funded at least in part by a $610,000 grant from the Empire State Development Corporation.

The Hudson Valley Trust was founded by Vincent Leibell, the 40th district state senator and a current candidate for Putnam County executive. The nonprofit organization has restored several properties in Putnam County, including the Lawlor Building, which formerly was the Patterson Town Hall and now houses several local nonprofits. The trust has also been working to restore a barn and possibly construct an office building at the same site. That project was stymied two weeks ago when the Patterson Town Board refused to grant the trust an exemption from a moratorium now in place on all new and pending applications while the town considers changes to its zoning code.

The Trust describes itself as a “not-for-profit corporation dedicated to fostering, advancing and encouraging the promotion and betterment of the cultural, historical, environmental and architectural heritage of the Hudson River Valley, its communities and environs, and to protecting open space for the advancement of the environment,” said the organization’s financial statements.”

The Hudson Valley Trust identifies itself as an “organization that normally receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or from the general public.” Roger Gross, executive director of the Hudson Valley Trust and a member of the Brewster Board of Education, told the Courier that the Fraternal Order of Police recently held a function at the bridge. “Word is just starting to spread about it,” he said. “We have to publicize it.”