Why a Vibrant Downtown is Critical To Piermont (and any towns) Home Values

To My Friends In Piermont,

I wrote and published this article five years ago but it seems as relevant now as ever before. With Piermont's most successful event potentially being cancelled due to lack of government support I thought best to redistribute.

By way of background, Procida Funding & Advisors has been a supporter and coordinator of Bastille Day for the past five years. Donating $1,000 a year plus raising thousands more thru fundraisers we organized and sponsored.

Since this article was published, Procida Funding & Advisors acted as agent on behalf of the buyer and seller of The Harbor House, now 14 & Hudson....a great addition to our village. Also as you may know, we are currently renovating and restoring a vital respectable facility to our community, The Tallman Pool Club which is to be opened this summer. All of which is being privately funded by our firm.

I hope you can circulate the below article to friends who may be interested.

Best Regards,

Bill Procida

Why a Vibrant Downtown is CriticalTo Piermont (and any towns) Home Values

By Billy Procida

January 28, 2013 (PIERMONT, NY) it's no secret that a community's downtown is the heart and soul of the community. Whether in good shape or bad it is where resident's congregate, shop and eat. It's also no secret that a beautiful charming vibrant downtown makes a town more desirable and thus increases housing values. The vibrancy (or lack thereof) of Piermont's downtown and its businesses was an issue before Sandy but now it is even more important to each and every homeowner and property owner here.

We all know Piermont is a great place with great people and is one of the best kept secrets along the Hudson River. Certainly in the spring and summer we attract enough tourists to keep the restaurants, shops and galleries' going but that weekend boost does little to carry them through the year, and most are struggling.

So, last week Laura Strauss was elected President of the newly formed Piermont Chamber of Commerce. I wish her and her newly elected board of officers all the best but I fear that without the whole towns support and the government's support they have an uphill challenge ahead of them.

We've lost Harbour House and many other stores are on the brink of closing. We would all be outraged (and bored) if we lose any more of our local businesses. Our home values would also be negatively affected. As oppose to waiting till things are critical, now is the time to act. The same way we all came together after Sandy, we should and must all come together to help now. Think selfishly if necessary. If downtown struggles further, property taxes will go up and home values down. If downtown thrives it might not reduce property taxes but it will definitely increase home values.

So what's a resident to do?
First, make a donation or get involved as a volunteer with the new chamber. The annual membership is $150. This money will go to promote and subsidize events we all enjoy like Bastille Day and create new events. The more the chamber promotes Piermont the more our homes will be worth (don't worry we will never get over run we're too small.) All we want is for all the stores to be occupied and successful. Second, get involved; I've been here 3 years and have hosted 4 charity events and created my own little "Occupy Piermont" campaign with my friends as well as created and promoted the Wednesday night open jams at the Harbour House. So do your thing, tell all of your friends and invite them to this lovely wonderful village of ours and do what we do best in Piermont, get out and have fun.
If you own commercial property downtown get involved with "both feet in." You have the most to gain and the most to lose. Upgrade your buildings and look the best you can. If you're a business owner the chamber is key to your success. You are stronger together than apart. Cross market, exchange contact lists but most of all participate! While each of you are your own business there are so many ways to work together. The more you brainstorm, the more you know each other, and the better your chances. Promote, promote, promote and service, service, service.If you have ever thought of opening a business, go for it. Piermont will come back stronger than ever. There is plenty of government loans and assistance out there for anyone willing to take a shot. We still need lots of things in town. I'd personally like a sushi place.

To the town elders; you too should have a rep and liaison to the chamber. We need so much after Sandy and the town can apply for a host of grants. I'd even hire a grant writer. They work on commission and every free dollar we get is good. Otherwise, if we don't our tax dollars go somewhere else.

Also, we should have an economic development officer to help existing and new businesses access government programs, loans and subsidies and generally attract new business. Obviously anyone who wants to invest should be given the red carpet treatment.

Post sandy is an interesting time. There are more properties and homes on the market than ever. This is a chance at a rebirth. The "Presence" building and the two family for sale is a perfect place for an inn, the store next to the municipal building has been vacant 5 years. Force the owner to lease it. They have tons of violations. Maybe if they have to spend money they'll finally lease the place. For the last 5 years it's been a missing tooth in a beautiful smile. Getting the walkway along the condos open is a must. Getting the DEP to dredge for the marinas would be great too. Get the Tallman pool opened and upscale it a bit; I would be willing to donate $10,000 if you do.

In closing I love this place and I love its people. I live on Paradise Avenue and it's truly paradise.For more information on the Piermont Chamber of Commerce please contact Lisa Dente at (845) 359-2624 or visit http://www.piermontchamber.org/.Written by: William Procida, President of Procida Funding & Piermont ResidentProcida Funding, LLC, provides bridge, mezzanine and equity capital to the real estate industry and middle market companies. Since 1995, the Firm has completed over one billion dollars of transactions ranging from $2,000,000 to $50,000,000.