Good morning! Today is Friday, August 12, and you are reading today’s section of Examiner+, our bonus content newsletter serving Westchester, Putnam, and the surrounding Hudson Valley.
They tell me you, dear readers, have short attention spans these days. No time for long-winded news articles. Or at least, some experts say, serve up the news in quicker-to-digest bites. We’ve decided to sort of split the difference. There will be no shortage of in-depth Examiner reports. But, as I step up my content curation game, we’ll borrow at least some approaches being popularized by other local news outlets for those on the go. Without further ado, a couple of hundred words, bulleted, along with a link to our more detailed full report…
The news first: A foundation dedicated to the conservation of natural resources has submitted a concept plan to the Town of New Castle to redevelop a deteriorating stone mansion to serve as a climate change retreat for scientists.
Why you should care: The Volgenau Foundation is hoping to convert the empty 95-year-old Elda Castle into a climate action center.
What’s being said: Volgenau Foundation Executive Director Andi Pearl said the rationale for selecting the site is to assemble scientists, policymakers, and others in a bucolic environment that would help to encourage deeper study, appreciation, and attention on the issue.
Hang on a second: During a virtual New Castle Planning Board meeting last month, the applicant’s attorney, David Steinmetz, said the Volgenau Foundation needs a special permit to allow what is considered an institutional use in a two-acre residential zone.
Stats: Under the preliminary plans, the structure on the 50-acre property at 249 Croton Dam Rd. would attract up to 25 renowned scientists and other experts at one time for three- to five-day conferences to study, discuss and address issues related to climate change.
Keep in mind: Plans would restore the Elda Castle so it maintains its 1920s character while it would be fitted with renewable energy features, according to Matthew Krissel, the project architect.
From a distance: The executive director of an organization that advocates for bolstering environmental research told the Planning Board that it is envisioned that the site would host about 40 multi-day retreats a year, nearly all on weekdays.
More details: To read Editor-in-Chief Martin Wilbur’s full report, click here.
Adam Stone is the publisher of Examiner Media. When not running local news outlets or chauffeuring his children, Stone can be found on the tennis courts at Mt. Kisco’s Leonard Park, on his Ipad playing chess, or on the floor cleaning after his two dogs.
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