It appears that the land located at the intersection of Center and Market streets that was originally considered for the building of a new village hall has found a new purpose – to be the new home of the area's public transportation network. A few weeks ago rumors began to move around Ellenville that a structure known as a "multi-modal transportation hub" would soon be finding its way to the village's downtown.

In fact, the Village of Ellenville has received $1 million in earmarked funds to perform a feasibility study to see what the impact of such a structure would do to the downtown area. The village initially requested $635,000 in federal funds to perform the study but received the considerably larger amount. The funds will come from federal highway dollars and the study will be done in conjunction with the Village Board, the Ulster County Traffic Commission and the New York State Department of Transportation. The three bodies will engage in an interview process to hire a firm to perform the study.

Village manager Elliott Auerbach says that he hopes to see a multi-use building that would be three stories high, include residential, retail and office space, and provide a base for at least two bus carriers, Ulster County Area Transport (UCAT) and Shortline.

UCAT service would provide local citizens with transportation to nearby destinations such as the area's hospital and shopping areas. Future bus loops could include places such as Sam's Point.

The concept for the structure would also include room for partnerships with private sector and not-for-profit organizations. Auerbach hoped that the community's taxi services would be integrated into any new structure that was built.

However, Auerbach was hesitant to put a strict timetable on the project's progress. He said he would know more after a January 24 meeting where more details regarding the project's funding would be made clear. After that, Auerbach said, "in bureaucratic terms, the project will move along rapidly."

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