Status Report on Nyack College
Unfortunately, the potential future sale and development of Nyack College has been shrouded in rumor, speculation and innuendo. This has been frustrating for both members of the public and the Village Board and generated understandable confusion and concern. Therefore, I wanted to provide an update based upon the actual facts as we know them.
One of those rumors is that the Village did not cooperate with Nyack College’s application for the private development of the campus. This assertion is simply false and belied by the public records of that application. The Village did everything in its power consistent with applicable law to work with the College with respect to that application. The application was ultimately denied by the Village Board because it did not comply with applicable law. The application was denied without prejudice and the College was invited, indeed welcome, to resubmit the application. The College chose not to do so without explanation. As we have maintained from the inception of the announcement of the College’s intention to sell its campus, the College alone has the discretion to choose to whom it sells its campus. Any questions regarding the College’s decision should be directed to the College.
In mid-July the Village learned of the rumor of the College’s potential sale of the campus to a religious based organization. Thereafter, the Village was contacted by the attorney for the unnamed buyer who advised that his client had entered into a contract with the college to purchase the campus for religious use. No details were provided. On July 16, 2020 the Village Attorney and Zoning Counsel, along with the Village’s special counsel, met with the attorneys for the potential purchaser. At that meeting our attorneys were advised that the proposed purchaser was the Yeshiva Viznitz, which intended to operate a religious school on the campus. Village counsel requested a written narrative from the potential buyer’s attorneys providing specific details about the proposed school and a site plan reflecting the operations so that the Village Board could better understand the proposed use and share that information with the public.
To date, we have not received the requested information. When we do, we will share it with the public.
The Village has and will continue to comply with all applicable laws as it relates to any future potential development of the Nyack College campus.
In conclusion, neither the Board nor I can discuss anything that is not put before us.