Townhouses will offer alternatives to workforce

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

LIBERTY, NY — Support for reasonably priced housing in the core region of Sullivan County’s workforce looked strong last week as legislators and economic development heads gathered to celebrate Schoolbell Townhouses, a cluster of 68 residential units now under construction near the Liberty High School.

District 6 Legislator Jodi Goodman expressed excitement about the project, which is being developed by partners Jeremy Gorelick, Peter Belgard and Jerry Gorelick.

“This project will help Liberty move forward,” Goodman said. “Liberty will not grow without people.” She added that Schoolbell Townhouses would help Liberty “heal problems of the past.”

The near $5 million project, financed through a loan from Astoria Federal Savings, involves the construction of 10 buildings with gabled roofs, a variety of façade materials including stone and vinyl siding, and complete landscaping. Different styles of one-, two- and three-bedroom units will range in price from $119,900 to $146,900. Each will be connected to municipal water and sewer services in Liberty.

Jeremy Gorelick, 25, an investor pursuing several residential development projects in the county and a key player in the group that’s rescuing the historic Munson Diner from New York City and bringing it to Liberty, said the project could provide housing for firemen, teachers and first-time homebuyers.

He said he’s excited about building a space for the growth of a new community. “It takes a village to raise a child,” Gorelick said.

When asked how Schoolbell Townhouses will offer inexpensive housing in a county that has of late faced a steep climb in real estate values, Gorelick said, “It’s a matter of how greedy you are and what kind of margin you want as a developer.”

“I don’t see any reason why this can’t be replicated, especially up here,” he said. “I’d like to put in new construction for anyone who can’t afford otherwise.”

Gorelick thanked Belgard for “letting us know Liberty is a great place where we should be.” He said, “Pete had the vision to buy this property 15 years ago.”