New York – April 18, 2019 – Residents of Ulster County are attempting to oppose the sale of the West Hurley Elementary School to developer Kerry Danenberg. However, the facts demonstrate that the sale of the property will eliminate maintenance costs for a building that has not been in service for nearly two decades.
The intention of the real estate developer is to perform a sensitive adaptive reuse of the existing buildings, creating within the existing structures 46 market rate rental apartments in a hamlet of 1,900 people. The developer is not seeking subsidies, grants or public money. Where opposing residents believe prospective buyer Kerry Danenberg’s record of violations as a New York City landlord disqualifies him, court records and public data available from the city shows that the buildings in question have had violations cured and that a small group of tenants had initiated press events and orchestrated violations for the purpose of evading rent. As it stands, the sale of the school property is set to generate tax revenue in the tens of thousands, whereas it has been previously tax-exempt.
West Hurley Elementary School, at 97 Cedar St., comprises the 13,406-square-foot Ryan building, which was built in the 1930s, and 30,645-square-foot Levins building, constructed in 1964. Classes ended in the early 2000’s as part of the Onteora School District consolidation, due to declining enrollment. Mr. Danenberg, along with the School Board, has followed all appropriate laws and regulations concerning the method of sale. In addition, there are multiple tests being conducted in regard to endangered species, environmental, traffic and water questions. Engineer Richard Praetorius, of Saugerties firm Praetorius Conrad, has stated that water and septic use would not exceed “by a single gallon” the design limits of the former school, and further explained that with the existing mandated water efficient toilets and fixtures, the new use would likely use half the water and produce half waste as the school. Other tests are still being performed and all testing will have to be verified by state, county and local agencies within the parameters of the SEQR process.
This is the second time the property has been listed, and the purchaser has been diligent in working directly with the town and all concerned agencies on the outcome of the sale. The property is expected to transfer ownership in the coming months. The local district does not have the legitimate means to refuse to sell to a buyer who has met all the terms of the sale. Hurley Supervisor John Perry is committed to transparency in addressing concerns of citizens, particularly those who live nearby.
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