Scaled-down Wildberry Lodge seeks tax relief

The developer has asked the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency to approve breaks totaling $11.2 million.

The developer of the proposed Wildberry Lodge in New Paltz — a project that’s been scaled down considerably and no longer includes a water park — has asked the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency to approve $11.2 million worth of tax relief.

Steven Turk told the agency board Wednesday that the revised plan is “really comporting itself perfectly ... with what is currently New Paltz as a destination for mountain adventure, culture, entertainment, restaurants and shops.”

Originally proposed as a 256-room resort with an indoor water park, conference center, tennis courts, outdoor sports, a spa and a bowling alley, Wildberry Lodge now is envisioned as a 140-room “boutique hotel” with numerous amenities. The revision has dropped the cost of the project from $80 million to $42 million.

The business still would be at Route 299 and South Ohioville Road in New Paltz and now is to include a 500-seat open-air amphitheater, a butterfly conservatory, demonstration kitchens, a restaurant attached to the hotel and a stand-alone restaurant. There also would be a stand-alone event and catering center.

Outdoor activities would include a nature trail, walking and sculpture gardens, a treehouse canopy, zip lines, a ropes course, an ice skating rink and a birdwatching sanctuary.

The tax relief being sought by Turk — who also operates the Rocking Horse Ranch in Highland — includes $9.74 million in exemptions from property taxes, $1.22 million in exemptions from sales and use taxes and a $225,000 mortgage tax exemption.

Regarding property taxes, Turk’s payment-inlieu of taxes, or PILOT, application calls for paying less than full taxes on the improved property value for 15 years, starting with a 100 percent exemption in each of the first five years and decreasing incrementally to a 5 percent break in year 15.

The PILOT application states Wildberry Lodge would have seven professional or managerial jobs in the first year, along with 17 skilled employees, 54 semi-skilled employees and 20 unskilled personnel.

Industrial Development Agency board members expressed concern Wednesday about a lack of information regarding wages that would be paid during construction.

Turk said additional information would be provided when contractors are selected.

A hearing on the requested tax relief still is to be scheduled.