Possible MTA Developers Tour Site, Discuss Project

A group of potential developers met Thursday to discuss what would be one of the largest construction projects Harrison's downtown has ever seen.

The MTA Project, which would add store fronts and residential units to the lot outside of the train station, has been hailed by town officials as an opportunity to rebuild Harrison's struggling downtown area. Proponents say the project will add foot traffic to the area while revitalizing Halstead Avenue, where "for rent" signs have become more common than thriving businesses.

Opponents to the project fear the construction of a parking garage along with more buildings will take away from the town's character while building up traffic congestion during peak hours.

About 83 developers were on-hand to ask questions about possible development on the site at the . The group directed questions to town and MTA officials before they were given a tour of the 3.28 acre site.

"There were more people than I expected," said Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh, who has been outspoken about her support for the project. "I was pleased by the number of people who attended."

Requests for proposals went out for the MTA project on July 8. Possible developers will now have until Aug. 19 to send in written questions to the MTA and those questions will be answered by Sept. 9.

All proposals for the MTA project must be submitted by Oct. 7, at which time the MTA and Town/Village of Harrison will pick out a "short list" of proposals to consider moving forward.

Once the MTA and town make a selection, any proposal will still go before the planning board and ultimately the town board before final approval.

Walsh said Thursday she expects a good amount of the developers on-hand to submit a proposal, adding that interest in the project has increased over the last few months to a year.

"You don't want to miss the opportunity now, when people are interested," she said.

Notes on the MTA Proposal

• Interested developers are being asked to submit two proposals, one for the entire 3.28 acre property, another for just the 1.9 acre east parcel, the space farthest from Harrison Avenue.
• The proposal will include both retail and residential units.
• A parking garage is required for all proposals. The parking garage must be less than five stories high, preferably hidden from view on Halstead Avenue (wrapped behind store fronts) and must contain at least 500 spots dedicated to MTA use.
• The garage must be the first phase of the project.
• If both parcels are selected for development the commuter parking spaces on the west end must be replaced during the construction period.
• If both parcels are selected for development designers are being asked to include a walkway between the parcels to the pedestrian overpass at the station.