The Referendum
On Tuesday, November 3rd Clarkstown voters are being asked to weigh in on an important issue, lifting the restrictive covenant on the Palisades Center Mall. Let me be clear about one thing first. When this mall was being built, I was a Civic Association President in New City and I strongly opposed it.
That said, love it or hate it the Palisades Center is here to stay. It’s closure, which I have seen people say they want on social media, would lead to an extremely difficult financial situation for the Town of Clarkstown, the Clarkstown Central School District and the County. While the decision to lift the restrictive covenant is a Town issue it will have an incredible impact upon Rockland County as a whole.
In 2019, the Palisades Center paid $21.4 million in property taxes, generated over $22 million in local sales tax revenue and employed nearly 5,000 people. All these factors show how important an economic engine this property is. The property is also Rockland’s number one tourist destination, drawing 24 million annual visitors, with 76% of those visitors coming from outside of Rockland. And with increases in online shopping these venues are in a pitched battle to remain viable.
Lifting the restrictive covenant would allow for the use of already existing space while adding additional parking to remain competitive. In other words, this would be much like your neighbor finishing their attic or basement while adding a parking space in their driveway, so no one parks in front of your house. There would be construction jobs added during any build out, more permanent retail/entertainment jobs added afterward and more attractions to draw more tourists and their cash to Rockland.
The Palisades Center provides significant value to our community. In 2019, they played host for over 400 non-profits events and partnered with 61 different community-based organizations for fundraising, awareness, and educational events. It is clear to me that they are a good neighbor and as such we should support their efforts to reinvent their space and help them stay relevant in a changing retail landscape.
And I have heard the same questions that many of you have that if “the Palisades already has so much empty space, why do they need more?”
While there is empty space in the Palisades Center, it may not be configured properly for whatever attractions or new tenants that they are working to bring in. We need to give them the freedom to use this existing space to improve their offerings. In my mind, there is no downside to allowing them the same freedom other retailers have in our area. The Palisades Center would still be required to apply to the Clarkstown Planning Board before opening and utilizing this existing space.
I have dedicated much of my time in office to righting Rockland’s fiscal ship and growing our local economy, to the tune of $8.4 Billion in ratables brought back during my time in office. To see an opportunity to increase revenues, add jobs and improve the mall experience at no added costs nor impact on our lives, or the environment is a classic “grab the brass ring” scenario. This would also help stabilize our tax base and ensure the days of our inherited double-digit property tax increases do not return.
As elected officials we have a responsibility to support the people and businesses of our communities and must do everything in our power to ensure their success. Allowing the Palisades Center to use this space and adapt to the changing retail landscape will bolster their chances of continued success which is critical to not only the future of Clarkstown but of Rockland County as a whole.
