Metro-North, Depot Theatre to Transform Property At Garrison Station

MTA Metro-North Railroad will work with the Philipstown Depot Theatre to improve and upgrade a 4,500-square-foot piece of property that lies between the theater and the railroad’s tracks at Garrison Station. The community theater group is now housed in the former Garrison Station building,

The MTA Board has approved a license agreement granting the theater the authority to improve and upgrade the underutilized property, creating a welcoming plaza area for the theater behind the building.

“While programming at the Philipstown Depot Theatre has flourished, the plaza outside the theatre’s box office has languished. Thanks to this license agreement with Metro-North Railroad, that’s about to change,” said Amy Dul, Philipstown Depot Theatre’s Executive Director, in a press release. “Our Theatre is an important part of the creative, artistic life of the Hudson Valley, and we’re delighted to collaborate with Metro-North to restore its plaza area.”

Under the agreement, the theater will contract workers to remove and replace the property’s uneven and broken concrete and asphalt, resurface the location, install new lighting and drainage, restore original lampposts and create outdoor seating. The project will also make the property behind the theater building safer by reducing the possibility of slip and falls on patchy concrete. The theater assumes the cost of the plaza renovations, saving the MTA $60,000.

With work on the plaza expected to be completed this year, Philipstown Depot Theatre audiences and community members alike will soon be able to enjoy a revitalized public space.

'“Metro-North strives to be a good neighbor to the communities we serve,” said Joseph
Giulietti, President of Metro-North Railroad. “We’re pleased to be working with the Philipstown Depot Theatre to create a plaza that will enhance an arts center that benefits Hudson Valley residents. Now patrons to the Theatre, community members and passers-through will be able to enjoy this unique area, bring a picnic, or just watch the trains go by.”

The Philipstown Depot Theatre is a community-based performing arts center that connects families and individuals in the Hudson River Valley with the best in high-caliber affordable theater, music and films. The theater entertains, educates and informs audiences with its programs and productions administered in partnership with the Town of Philipstown Recreation Department.

The Garrison Station building – now the home of the Philipstown Depot Theatre – was built in 1892 and is registered with the New York State Historic Preservation Office. It served its original purpose, facilitating train travel to, from and through the Hudson Highlands, until the early 1960s, though commuters continued to shelter beneath its eaves for years. Aside from its historical significance, the structure is considered the most important architectural monument in the village for its stone construction, broadly projecting roof, elaborate dormers and subtle decorative elements. The building was sold by Metro-North’s predecessor to the Garrison Landing Association in 1962, and Philipstown Depot Theatre has been leasing the space since 1996.

"Metro-North is performing a real public service by supporting the redevelopment of the Theatre’s plaza area,” said MTA Board member Neal Zuckerman. “A refurbished plaza will help enhance the town’s quality of life, and on behalf of the elected officials of Putnam County and the Town of Philipstown, I'm delighted to see that the railroad cares about making a positive difference to the community.”