$5 Million in TOD Funding Secured for Nanuet

In a video released on Instagram, Congressman Mike Lawler announced that he has secured five million in funds for Nanuet’s transit-oriented development as part of the $31 million appropriations package for New York 17. The $31 million also includes funding for sidewalks in Ramapo and Orangetown, road infrastructure in New Square, and a new Rockland County Sheriff’s training facility, per the congressman’s website.

George Hoehmann also appeared in the video, speaking on the ongoing plans from the town of Clarkstown to improve access to Nanuet’s downtown. The $5 million in funding would be used to support water and sewer upgrades, improve roads, and improve pedestrian safety. Nanuet Station is the only commuter rail station in the Town of Clarkstown, which makes these improvements all the more necessary.

The Town of Clarkstown has been planning improvements to the area around Nanuet Station for almost a decade. The “Hamlet of Nanuet Transit Oriented Development Plan” is a document released by the town in 2017, outlining the necessary improvements needed for the downtown core of Nanuet to improve transit access. The plan includes new signage, improvements to roads and sidewalks, and turning Main Street and Prospect Street into pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods with public green spaces and a revamped town square. Higher density housing was also put forward by the plan within walking distance of the train station.

Investing in transit-oriented development around existing train stations is crucial in Rockland County. Transit inequity has long been a problem in Rockland, where many promises are made but not kept. The MTA now has a representative from Rockland on its board, Matthew W. Rand, after almost three years of the position being vacant. Although, the famous value gap, where Rocklanders pay over 40% more in MTA taxes than what they receive in services, does not seem to be closing anytime soon, despite recent explorations into improving transit access on the west side of the Hudson River.

Investing in what little public transit we have, as the Town of Clarkstown is doing, shows New York State and the MTA that Rockland is serious about wanting more transit access. It shows a willingness to support new infrastructure projects, communicating to both New York State and the MTA that we’re ready and willing to make improvements where it’s possible. The potential for a one-seat ride in NYC looms over the horizon as the Gateway and Bergen Loop projects continue their plans in New Jersey. With the West Shore Feasibility Study still making its way around the towns and counties west of the Hudson River, including most recently Kingston, NY, if Rockland continues to improve its existing transit access, then new trains could be in our future.