The Peru Gazette

Redevelopment Proposals Are Due On Friday, July 28 

Request for Proposals Available Here

Empire State Development (ESD) this week issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop a nearly 300 acre, former outdoor recreation facility in North Hudson, Essex County. The RFP follows Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Master Plan to establish a “Gateway to the Adirondacks” at the site of the former Frontier Town theme park.

ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “The redevelopment of Frontier Town will be a major step forward in making Governor Cuomo’s ‘Gateway to the Adirondacks’ Master Plan a reality. The site has already generated interest and we will be looking to select the proposal that will successfully achieve the goals of increasing tourism, promoting job creation, and strengthening the North Country regional economy.”

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “With thousands of miles of trails, pristine lakes, old-growth forests and breathtaking views, the Adirondack Park is a world-class destination like no other. DEC looks forward to helping to create a dynamic new recreation hub, ‘the Gateway to the Adirondacks,’ that links local and regional resources to peerless and remote forest lands, including the Boreas Ponds Tract.”

The “Gateway to the Adirondacks” Master Plan will transform the site of the former Frontier Town into a world-class tourism destination, attracting new visitors to the six million acre Adirondack Park. Boosting the local tourism industry will generate economic growth in the North Country, particularly in the surrounding communities of North Hudson, Newcomb, Indian Lake, Long Lake and Minerva.

In March, ESD released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to solicit ideas for the Site, linking the concepts and principles proposed in the Master Plan with viable models for the development, operation and management of an outdoor recreational facility and supporting uses. ESD has utilized responses and recommendations generated by the RFEI to create the RFP.

When submitting proposals, respondents should strive to address the following development objectives:

• Enhance the Site as an economic engine for the North Country and the State;
• Serve as a “Gateway to the Adirondacks” and launching off point for the Adirondack Park;
• Provide a world-class recreational destination in keeping with the principles outlined in the Master Plan;
• Create a family-oriented complex that provides multi-generational amenities;
• Enhance and complement the State’s proposed development to provide recreational access;
• Preserve and complement the Site’s natural beauty and resources; and
• Feature meaningful participation of Minority Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned-Businesses, per Article 15A of the New York State Executive Law.

New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) plans to construct a campground, equestrian center and public day-use areas in the southern portion of the site, but operation of those facilities could be incorporated into a larger development plan.

The RFP and additional information is available on Empire State Development’s website: https://esd.ny.gov/doing-business-ny/requests-proposals/frontier-town-site-rfp. Questions or requests for clarification regarding the RFP should be submitted via email to frontiertownRFP@esd.ny.gov.

Responses are due by 12 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2017. An optional site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Respondents are not required to attend; however, anyone who wishes to participate must RSVP on or before June 5 at 5 p.m. to frontiertownRFP@esd.ny.gov.