Williams Lake Resort Community Benefits

Public Access

Central to the vision of the future Williams Lake Resort is a pedestrian design with increased public access to the property. The Williams Lake Project resort and amenities will be open to the public; trails and lakes will be open to the public under a day-use fee system.

The most significant public access enhancement is the opening of over 1½ miles of rail trail formerly closed to the public. Finalized in September of 2013, this land donation and conservation easement, in partnership with the Wallkill Valley Land Trust and the Open Space Institute, greatly expands public access to the property and allows for the reconnection of the historic trail to the City of Kingston to the north and New Paltz and Gardiner to the south. The rail trail will pass by the future resort hotel and will run adjacent to a historic interpretive center, an outdoor activity center, an open-air ‘kiln café’ and the extensive trail system.

Supporting Growth of Local Businesses

The Williams Lake Project is committed to sourcing labor and materials locally. Examples include partnering with local farmers and farmer’s markets to source organic food; working with local labor including unions during and after construction; and sourcing materials from local and regional suppliers.

The new Williams Lake Resort will help existing businesses grow in the Town of Rosendale. Demand for goods and services will increase as resort guests and home owners shop locally at area restaurants, shops, art galleries, and visit venues such as the Rosendale Theatre.  Direct pedestrian and bike access from the Williams Lake Project to Main Street Rosendale via the rail trail will help drive visitors to Main Street and further spur spending in town.

Economic Benefits

As planned, the proposed resort will create significant positive economic benefits for the region. Fiscally, the Williams Lake Project will generate more than 4 million dollars in new net tax benefits to Ulster County, the Rondout Valley School District and the Town of Rosendale.  Economically, the new resort and housing will generate 300 new permanent full time jobs and over 1,300 construction “job-years” (an average of 134 construction jobs over the 10-year project build-out).  These new jobs and tax revenue will provide a much needed boost to local and regional businesses.  These positives are enhanced by the project’s commitment to source materials, services and labor locally.

Jobs and Fiscal Benefits
Significant positive increase in jobs, fiscal benefits and ancillary spending in the community.

• Over 1,300 construction “job-years” (an average of 130 construction jobs over the ten-year project build-out)
• 300 full-time jobs once the Williams Lake Project is open
• Over $4 million in annual (net) fiscal revenue to Town, School Districts and County

The Williams Lake Project: Jobs Summary
	Former Williams Lake Hotel	Proposed Williams Lake Project
Construction Jobs (short-term)	0	1,364
Resort Operation (long-term)	30	300
TOTAL	30	1,664

The Williams Lake Project: Fiscal Revenue Summary
	Former Williams Lake Hotel	Proposed Williams Lake Project
Taxing District	Fiscal Revenue (Current Taxes)	Projected Fiscal Revenue (New Taxes less New Costs)
School Districts	$87,079	$591,666
Town of Rosendale	$20,565	$1.6 million
Rosendale Highway Fund	$8,336	n/a
Ulster County	$20,451	$1.9 million
TOTAL	$136,431	$4.3 million