GRAND PLANS
City to review Hutton Brickyards’ request for the ambitious redevelopment of site
KINGSTON, N.Y. » City planners are set to begin their official review this month of ambitious plans to turn the Hutton Brickyards property into a bona fide events center, hotel, festival and concert grounds, and waterfront luxury camping site.
The city’s Planning Office says that an application has been filed by developers as a request for a special permit to develop the waterfront property at 200 North St.
The plans will be examined by the board at its Feb. 20 session at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 420 Broadway.
The specific plans are outlined in a full environmental assessment form and project description submitted by Chazen Companies, a consultant, on Jan. 30 to the Planning Office. The project is being developed by MH West Holdings of California under North Street Brick Works, LLC.
Hutton Brickyards hosted two Bob Dylan concerts in June as well as Smorgasburg Upstate, a flea market and food vending site.
“We remain deeply committed to our ongoing efforts to revitalize the Hutton Brickyards and beautify the riverfront and property grounds to host world-class events and programming,” said MHWest Holdings President Karl Slovin in a prepared statement on Friday.
“The proposal we submitted to the Planning Board encompasses a variety of enhancements to the site which, if approved and executed, will provide a more enjoyable and safe experience for guests while also better accommodating the technical and operational needs of vendors executing programming. The proposed site and infrastructure improvements will ensure future events achieve their maximum potential as we continue to build out programming including concerts, festivals, culinary and cultural events and also allow us to host weddings, and private and corporate events.”
Representatives for the developer have publicly spoken about these Phase II plans for the site in the past.
In April 2017, Slovin described the overall plans as being “aspirational” and detailed some of them in a video.
But the newest document submitted to the Kingston Planning Office now makes the plan an official offering.
In the Chazen report, the project is outlined in bullet points explaining what the owners want to do with buildings on the site and other improvements including parking:
•Building 1: single-story, 6,950 square feet for event support offices.
•Building 2: two-story, 1,116 square foot for single key suite for private event use, not for general public.
•Building 3: single-story, 2,072 square feet, for 16room hotel, private event use, not for general public.
•Building 4: single-story 2,925 square feet for indoor, 100-person event space (bar, no kitchen).
•Building 6: single-story, 15,385 square feet for talent back of house area (commercial kitchen, bathroom facilities, festival space, and concert-related use).
•Building 7: single-story, 22,500 square feet for stage and 2,997 seats.
Plans also call for 36 spots for “glamping,” or luxury camping, creation
of a scenic overlook, and construction of a caretaker cottage.
“We have learned a lot from hosting a variety of events last season and as we look to expand private and corporate events, we know being able to provide accommodations will help meet the needs of those planners,” Slovin said on Friday in a statement. “Whether a small 16-key hotel or dedicated area for Glamping (which would provide temporary fully furnished tent rooms, not a camp site), at the end of the day, we are exploring enhancements and investments needed to allow more people to enjoy the property. Our end goal is always to create a variety of the best possible guest experiences.”
The developers are seeking a five-year special permit to use the grounds as they have outlined in the project description.
Earlier this year, representatives of Smorgasburg, the outdoor flea market and food vending event announced that it would no longer be held at the Hutton Brickyards site.
However, the Chazen project narrative says that it is hopeful that a similar venue will take place at the site.
In July, developers had submitted a conceptual plan to the city.
A letter that generally described the plans for the property was submitted to the Planning Office.
“This submission reflects the proposed next phase of development of the subject premises as well as a plan for future development,” wrote Kevin McManus, a project engineer, at the time. “The purpose of this submission is to initiate a discussion with the Planning Department and Planning Board so as to develop a process and scope for the project as it is moving forward.”
That letter did not constitute an official submission of a site plan for Planning Board consideration, according to City Planner Suzanne Cahill. But the conceptual plan did indicate some of the features that the property owner is considering for the site, which is on the Hudson River.
“The concept is to make the site more conducive for music events and private events such as weddings, anniversary parties and camping,” McManus wrote. “To accomplish this, a small hospitality component is contemplated. This would include 10 to 20 hotel rooms and some common
amenities, such as a lounge and meeting room.”
The plans also include the construction of a single-family home to “function as a property caretaker’s cottage.”
“In addition, several site
enhancements, including walkways and landscaping, are proposed to improve pedestrian circulation and the site’s appearance,” the letter said.
The letter is not the first time conceptual plans for
the site have surfaced.
In his video, Slovin depicted a vision he has for the Hutton Brickyards.
“This rare riverfront property is waiting to rise again, re-imagined as the perfect destination retreat
for the 21st century,” Slovin said in the video. “Envision a venue that is part Camp David, part yoga retreat and part TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Talk, spread out over 75 bucolic acres.”