City of Peekskill Receives Three Planning Awards

Peekskill, N.Y. (June 10, 2019) – The City of Peekskill was recently honored at Westchester Municipal Planning Federation’s 46th Annual Planning Awards Program for their outstanding contributions to planning in Westchester County. The event, held at Le Chateau in South Salem on May 30, recognized the Lincoln Depot Plaza and Visitor Center with a Commendation for Outstanding Planning Achievement, The Lofts on Main with a Planning Achievement Award, and the City’s Conservation Advisory Council Chair Kathleen Barthelmes with the Distinguished Citizen Planner Award.

The Lincoln Depot Plaza and Visitor Center, located on the City’s waterfront, compliments the Lincoln Depot Museum and enhances the site as a historic and educational destination that illuminates and celebrates President Abraham Lincoln’s relationship to New York before and during the Civil War. Designed with sustainability in mind, the complex recognizes the historic depot building and provides a home for the collections of the Lincoln Depot Foundation. The new Visitor’s Center includes offices and exhibit space for the museum, as well as a small gift shop and an open meeting room to hold events.

“The Lincoln Depot Plaza and Visitor Center, along with the museum, is a tribute to Peekskill’s rich history and the historic stop by then President-elect Lincoln as he traveled by train from his home in Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, DC, for his Presidential inauguration,” said City of Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey. “We are thrilled this project has reached completion after years of planning, and especially thank the State of New York for the funding they provided.”

A unique and affordable community in the heart of the Downtown Artist District, The Lofts on Main is a $28 million mixed-use development with 50 residential units for certified artists, 25 market rate units, as well as 7,200 square feet of new ground floor commercial space. The development pulled together resources, approvals and funding from state, local and cultural entities in an exemplary project of downtown revitalization, historic preservation, community programming and aesthetic sensitivity.

“The Lofts on Main provide more high-quality housing options for residents, support increased economic activity on Main Street and help to increase our ever-growing artist district,” noted Mayor Rainey. “Try some of the treats from Ty’s Bread Basket Bakery, stroll through the Evolution Gallery and shop at the new Green’s Natural Food store, and you’ll know that you are in a new Peekskill where we’ve made housing, the arts, commerce and a vital downtown our top priorities.”

Honored with this year’s Distinguished Citizen Planner Award, Kathleen Barthelmes has dedicated countless hours to developing, programming and implementing community-wide conservation and sustainability initiatives for the City of Peekskill. As Conservation Advisory Council Chair, Barthelmes has been the driving force behind establishing the Peekskill 2030: Road to Resilience initiative and, as a retired educator, she has used her communication skills to develop a community dialogue on conservation through informational materials, mini-documentaries and collaborative meetings with other local groups.

“Peekskill is taking clear and measurable steps to become a clean smart community and Kay Barthelmes continues to be invaluable in this effort – pushing us forward with Peekskill 2030, which aims to reduce the City’s carbon footprint substantially by 2030,” said Mayor Rainey. “We need to create well-planned, cost-effective infrastructure and green spaces which can and will support long-term community needs – and we’ve got to start now.”

The City of Peekskill is located at 840 Main Street in Peekskill, N.Y., and can be reached at 914-737-3400 or by visiting www.cityofpeekskill.com.

About the City of Peekskill

The City of Peekskill is a thriving, historic community located on the banks of the Hudson River. Just under one hour north of New York City, Peekskill is culturally and economically vibrant with abundant natural resources due to its location on the river and at the gateway to the Hudson Highlands. The City’s pedestrian-friendly downtown is buzzing with an array of dining and entertainment establishments. Offering artist lofts, studios, galleries and museums, Peekskill is home to a growing arts community and has no shortage of arts activities. The waterfront, with over three miles of continuous parkland, is a regional destination with a variety of active and passive recreation, as well as breathtaking views of the Hudson River. For more information, visit www.cityofpeekskill.com.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Left to right: Jim Pinto, Director of Economic Development, City of Peekskill; Jesica Youngblood, City Planner, City of Peekskill; 2019 Distinguished Citizen Planner Award recipient Kathleen Barthelmes, Chair, City of Peekskill Conservation Advisory Council; Jean Friedman, Director of Planning, City of Peekskill; and Richard Leins, City Manager, City of Peekskill; at the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation’s 46th Annual Planning Awards Program.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Left to right: City of Peekskill Councilwoman Patricia Riley; City of Peekskill Conservation Advisory Council Chair Kathleen Barthelmes, recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Citizen Planner Award; City of Peekskill Deputy Mayor Kathleen Talbot; and City of Peekskill Councilman Colin Smith at the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation’s 46th Annual Planning Awards Program.