Village of Brewster’s Revitalization Project
The Village of Brewster has contracted Pattern for Progress to work on developing its revitalization project.
Pattern for Progress is a not-for-profit policy, planning, advocacy and research organization, whose mission is to promote regional, balanced and sustainable solutions that enhance the growth and vitality of the HudsonValley.
Pattern for Progress ties businesses, nonprofits, academic and government leaders to work together on approaches to bring together affordable/workforce housing, municipal sharing and local government efficiency, land use policy, transportation and other infrastructure issues that impact the growth and vitality of regional economy.
Pattern for Progress held a public work session in the Village of Brewster last Wednesday. The work session was attended by town officials, business owners, and residents. All of whom were active participants in the work session.
Attendees discussed ways to improve Brewster and how to motivate people in the community.
Joe Czajka, led some exercises that were used to help the attendees think about the village.
When asked to describe the Village of Brewster in one word the answers included: commercial, hometown, location, walk able, unfriendly, creative neighborhoods, opportunity, apathy, parallel communities, diversified , historic, depressed(economically), Barnum & Bailey(Circus), diverse housing and more.
Attendees also gave thoughts on what a positive first impressions they thought the community had. The responses were: train station, interesting, shops, sidewalks, infrastructure, architecture, proximity to nature, historic buildings, historic homes, bilingual, and arts and culture.
When it can to negative impressions of the town, the participants listed unfriendliness, vacancies(store), section 8 housing, not a cohesive community with no common goal, run down/grimy, and walking wounded-people who are in need of services.
Using the answers as a starting point, Czajka then moderated a discussion on different topics related to the village.
While discussing what is most valuable to Brewster the attendees identified transportation, trains, busses, highways, terrific neighborhoods, people, historic buildings, water/sewer-infrastructure, DEP labs, Trout, surrounding land, rail trail and the Cameo Theatre.
The Cameo Theatre also appeared on the participants wish list, as did the Southeast Building, a need for a parking garage, some bed and breakfasts, underground utilities(especially after Hurricane Sandy), high wage employment, more residents, market rate housing, employment destination, shopping and restaurants and an easier development process.
The attendees all agreed that more shopping was needed to help the village ascertain more revenue. In developing a list of what type of shopping residents would like to see bookstores, pharmacies, banks, a hardware store, some cafes, and a bakery were mentioned.
In order to help the village create a positive change, the attendees suggested that an emphasis be places on art education/performance center, investing in buildings, public relations, a marketing strategy to bring more people into the community, creating a friendly community, making it a welcoming environment, zoning, main street grants, tax incentives, attracting new developers, and finding ways to fast track the development process.
After the workshop, Pattern for Progress will draft up some ideas to start with that is expected to be presented to the village board two weeks after Thanksgiving.
By Pamela Stern
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
