Owner proposes brand-new Goshen Plaza, including a supermarket

BY ERIKA NORTON
GOSHEN — The owner of the Goshen Plaza is planning a complete overhaul, including the addition of a supermarket.
The project would breathe new life into the largely vacant 13-acre property, located between Clowes Avenue and Matthew Street, by restoring the blighted parking lot, expanding retail options, and adding a new standalone CVS Pharmacy with drive-through service and a supermarket — something the Village of Goshen hasn’t had since the Grand Union left in 2001.
The current owner, Fareri Associates, assumed sole ownership and management of the 58,000-square-foot property last May. After visiting the plaza, he concluded that the only way to fix the blight was to “totally redo Goshen Plaza.”
“The only way to fix it and to give the people of Goshen what we think they need is to start from scratch,” said Neil DeLuca, president of Fareri’s development consultant, the DeLuca Group.
Fareri first became involved with the Goshen Plaza as a passive partner during a bankruptcy buy-out of the property five years ago. But after buying out the partner in May, DeLuca believes they are better equipped financially to take on the risks of the retail market than their partner was, and are ready to take on this project.
The planFareri's plan, pending village approval, is to demolish the current 58,0000-square-foot plaza and build 104,600 square feet of all-new retail space. There would be three new retail buildings with two stand-alone anchor tenants — the pharmacy and the supermarket.
Fareri also plans to construct three retail-ready pad sites for tenants who usually have a standalone location.
During construction, the current CVS Pharmacy will remain in operation, according to construction manager Jim Carnicelli. The public will continue to have access to shop and pick up prescriptions. The east and west wings of the building will be demolished, leaving the CVS to operate normally.
Once the new standalone pharmacy is constructed, the current CVS will move into its new building and the old CVS will be demolished. Fareri expects there to be about 15 other storefronts, which may vary from mom-and-pop shops to larger retailers.
Currently, there are only six active tenants in the plaza: CVS Pharmacy, Verizon Wireless, Goshen Laundry, Goshen Plaza Liquors, Blooming Nails & Spa, and H&R Block, which plans to leave after tax season ends in April. DeLuca said they have had meaningful discussions with all of the tenants and hope they will choose to return.
The Goshen Diner will remain, as it is its own entity.
Right now 47 people are employed at the Goshen Plaza. Fareri expects that number to jump to 238 employees within the first three years after the overhaul is completed.
Other improvements will include modernized utilities, an all-new storm water collection system, and a fully restored parking lot, from grading and resurfacing to lighting, striping, and signage.
Architect Ron Hoina said there will be centralized parking, planted islands, simple, clean signage and wayfinding. The sidewalks will have overhangs so that people can cross shop more comfortably.
Which supermarket is it?DeLucasaid they are currently in negotiations to bring in a top-brand supermarket familiar to the Hudson Valley. Since they have not yet officially signed a lease, he cannot reveal the name of the supermarket, he said.
“It’s a corporate chain, so the local level likes it, and we went to the next level, and they like it," he said. "Now we’ll take it to the CFO in that group,” DeLuca said. “But we have every reason to believe that this is real.”
He said the supermarket has had other locations in the area for a long time and knows this particular market well.
The parking lotWith an all-new parking lot — new curbs, sidewalks, and asphalt — the deteriorating and pothole-riddled lot long deplored by shoppers will no longer be an problem, Carnicelli said.
In the meantime, short-term repairs have been made and will continue until the new parking lot is done, Carnicelli said. Several potholes have been filled with cold patch asphalt, and a large area of the parking lot was recently seal-coated and re-striped to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety.
Pending village approvalFareri presented the Goshen Plaza proposal before the Village of Goshen Planning Board on Wednesday evening, Jan. 22. The projected grand opening dates for the two retail anchors are fall 2020 for the pharmacy and fall 2021 for the supermarket.
There will be a website, goshenplazany.com, that will provide updated information as the project progresses.
Editor's note: This article has been updated.