Task force hears ideas for how to spend $1 million

An upscale senior living facility and family resort at the former Nevele hotel was one of the suggestions presented to the Ellenville Million Task Force during its inaugural meeting this week.

The task force heard ideas Thursday evening from Ellenville and Wawarsing residents, who packed a room at the Trudy Resnick Farber Building, about what can be done with a $1 million grant from the state that’s being channeled through Ulster County.

The money comes in the wake of the Nevele owner’s proposal for a casino at the property being turned down by a state board.

County Executive Michael Hein said Ellenville and Wawarsing residents need to take control of their economic future now that legal gambling is off the table.

“I don’t want studies. I want you to use these dollars to make a difference and improve the lives of people in the community,” Hein said.

The county executive said he is looking for project ideas or ways to leverage the original $1 million as a way to get additional money.

But “if nobody else will help us, we will help ourselves,” he said.

Davis, in proposing senior living at the Nevele, said: “Imagine a premier, assisted-living facility, with a separate resort hotel for families and friends of children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren visiting assisted-living seniors — a place where all the vacation amenities exist.”

The Nevele, once part of the storied Borscht Belt of Catskills resorts, has been closed since 2009. It was bought out of bankruptcy soon after by an investment group led by Michael Treanor, but the group’s sole stated hope for the site — operating it as a casino

resort — was dashed in late 2014 when the state board charged with recommending casino licenses chose a Sullivan County proposal instead for the Hudson Valley/ Catskills region.

Among other ideas proposed Thursday, Jack Goffrey suggested a welcome center and museum, and a public relations firm suggested a Borscht Belt museum.

The owner of Cohen’s Bakery suggested building student dorms at the Nevele.

The also were calls to capitalize on the area’s outdoor resources, including the Shawangunk Ridge Greenway, D&H Rail Trail, Sam’s Point Preserve and Lippmann Park. The committee will continue to take suggestions for the next 90 days. They can be emailed to ellenvillemillion@gmail.com.