Hotel groundbreaking now expected later this summer

CATSKILL―Groundbreaking on the long-awaited 92-room Hampton by Hilton near Exit 21 of the New York State Thruway has been delayed once again.

Shovels were last expected to be in the ground this month, but Catskill Lodging, LLC Principal John Joseph told county legislators on Monday that it now won’t happen until later in the summer.

“We have been eagerly pursuing getting all of the paperwork together and getting the final [signature] from the town engineer, which we are awaiting. There is a sewer pump that has to be signed off by them and then we are done,” Joseph explained.

“At this point we are planning on closing sometime after the fourth of July and starting construction,” he said.

The site, located in what is the Greene County Industrial Development Agency (GCIDA) Gateway Greene Commercial Park, was that of the old Quality Inn that was acquired by Greene County for delinquent taxes. It was demolished in January of 2019 and the property turned over to the GCIDA.

In January of 2023, the GCIDA entered into the initial contract with Catskill Lodging, LLC, agreeing that the buyer would obtain site plan approval from the town planning board and secure brand approval from Hilton before putting shovels in the ground. The GCIDA was responsible for completing the access road and extending utilities, as well as ensuring all permits were in place for a shovel ready parcel.

Currently, Joseph noted, they are also awaiting the Town of Catskill Building Department to sign off on the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) plan.

Getting the earlier stormwater okay from the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) did “hold us up quite a bit because of the capacity of the stormwater treatment plant which we are now passed. But that was a big hold up,” Joseph said.

“We don’t want to start a $20 million project and have the DEC ultimately say, ‘Well, we’re not satisfied with this, not satisfied with that,’ when we are getting ready to open,” he added, acknowledging it has been a frustrating process.

“Everything is a big hurry up and wait,” he said.

Delays on the yearslong project have also been a source of frustration among some county legislators.

“The plan is to get the foundation done, then get it enclosed, get the windows in and get it sided. Then we can work all winter on the electric, plumbing and interior finishes,” said Joseph.

“That would put us opening sometime around July or August of 2027,” he said.

The hotel is the major anchor going into the Gateway Greene Commercial Park. A new Stewart’s Shop was first to go up in September of 2024, followed by the county’s new welcome center that opened last summer.

A third pad, still up for grabs, is being marketed for a restaurant. GCIDA Executive Director April Ernst said interest in that spot is anticipated to rise once groundbreaking for the hotel begins.