By Jason Kaplan
Last month, the Town of Cornwall Planning Board unanimously granted preliminary building approval for the hotel project on the site of the former Bernicker Dodge location on Main Street. Although there is still some work to be done before final approval can be granted, local, regional and state officials are excited about the potential tax revenue and visitor traffic the project will attract once completed.
“Downtown revitalization has been one of my priorities in Cornwall since I took office as a city councilor in 2022,” said Supervisor Josh Wojehowski. “The hotel is consistent with the city’s zoning code and comprehensive plan. It was also part of the vision we laid out in the NY Forward application. It is included in the strategic investment plan, and the NY Forward local planning committee supported that vision as well.”
Keith Perez purchased the Bernicker property in 2019 to use as storage space for his construction company. However, it turned out that the property was contaminated and the contamination needed to be cleaned up. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation closed the case and determined that no further remediation work was necessary. Perez then sat down with his attorney, Bart Lansky, to review the city’s building codes and determine what could be built on the property.
Of the various uses, Lansky said a hotel seemed to be the best option for his client and the community, as no public housing is allowed in the GC Zone. A firm was hired to conduct a feasibility study and concluded the area was ripe for a hotel. The Orange County Department of Tourism and Film also pointed to a significant shortage of available housing.
A 52-room boutique hotel and restaurant was proposed to the planning committee and the project was approved by Hilton as part of its Tapestry Collection.
The $13 million project has already received a $1.2 million grant from Empire State Development (ESD), Wojehowski said, emphasizing the significant positive impact it is expected to have on the community. The city has also applied for a $2 million Restore NY grant from ESD, which supports projects focused on revitalizing formerly run-down buildings or repurposing abandoned buildings. The deadline to submit the grant application was in May, and Wojehowski hopes to hear back in early fall.
Meanwhile, the applicant hopes to be able to start construction at about the same time.
Before construction on site begins, the applicant must meet all conditions set by the Planning Board. This checklist includes submitting the final floor plan and elevations and answering any outstanding questions related to obtaining the special permit required to build a hotel in this zone. Since Main Street is a county road, the Department of Transportation must also give its approval. Finally, the applicant will work with Hilton to develop a floor plan and identity for the hotel.
Once construction begins, it will take about a year to complete, Lansky said. The property, which currently generates between $12,000 and $14,000 in tax revenue per year, will generate over $1 million in tax revenue from city, school, county, sales and hotel taxes. The hotel will also create about 35 jobs.
Wojehowski is excited about the many walk-in customers the hotel will generate and about offering visitors an alternative to an AirBnB stay.
“The hotel and restaurant are expected to attract a wide range of visitors, from leisure tourists to business travellers, boosting the local economy and encouraging the growth of new businesses,” said Scott Teresi, President of the Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce. “Approval of the project as part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection ensures a high standard of quality and service, making it a landmark development in Cornwall.”
Senator James Skoufis and Representative Chris Eachus also praised the project for the economic impact it will have on the local community.
