Board OKs arugula farm at former Ameribag plant

The Town Board has granted site plan approval for a planned arugula and herb growing facility in the former Ameribag building at 71-77 Kukuk Lane.

At a board meeting Thursday, officials said the project will require 3,000 square feet of greenhouse space in addition to an existing 35,374-square-foot warehouse.

“He’s growing arugula indoors and I think they’ve also decided to put some greenhouses out back,” town Supervisor James Quigley said. “They are trying to serve the New York City high-end lettuce market.”

Applicant Press Leap LLC will have the property designated as an agricultural business, which is an allowed use in the town’s Office Manufacturing Zoning District.

Town officials said the project did not require Ulster County Planning Department approval because the site already has sufficient parking, previously approved access to Kukuk Lane and county Route 32, and existing loading areas.

Quigley said it is nice to see a creative reuse of a vacant former manufacturing building.

“The building owner is from {New York City],” he said. “This is a unique experience.”

However, Quigley notes the current downturn in the restaurant industry amid the coronavirus pandemic could affect whether the project proceeds.

“Given the current ... economic environment and restaurant environment, I’m thinking this might be pushed off six months,” he said.

Ameribag, which had moved to the property from Kingston in May 2006, again relocated its operations to Red Hook in May 2018.