‘Escape from New York’

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has announced that the he will begin marketing commercial properties to New York City corporations to attract them to relocate to the County.

The county issued Request for Proposals (RFP) for Camp LaGuardia and the “Grand Street Properties,” located near SUNY Orange in the City of Newburgh, in late June. The marketing campaign to sell Camp LaGuardia will include an ad in the Wall Street Journal with an “Escape from New York” theme.

The Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) has provided the County $25,000 to utilize for marketing and advertising as it continues to seek proposals for Camp LaGuardia, a 258-acre property located in the Towns of Blooming Grove/Chester.

“Businesses are actively seeking to leave New York City and Orange County has a variety of sites which are perfect for commercial development,” Neuhaus said. “We are grateful that the IDA has committed these funds to marketing Camp LaGuardia, which will help attract prospective buyer(s). The site is perfect for commercial development and will provide economic development as well as job opportunities. We look forward to seeing the potential buyers who want to invest in Orange County and make Camp LaGuardia a success story.”

The County Legislature voted to acquire Camp LaGuardia, a homeless shelter for New York City residents, in 2007. In December 2013, days before Neuhaus took office, the county voted to purchase the Grand Street properties with the goal of expanding services at SUNY Orange onto those properties.

The County Legislature will select the developers who will buy some or all the properties. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for Camp LaGuardia can be found at: https://www.orangecountygov.com/1968/RFP-Sale-of-former-Camp-LaGuardia-Proper