TUSTEN, NY — The pavilion proposed for the Narrowsburg Flats is inching closer to reality in a divided community.

The Tusten Town Board agreed on February 13 to put out a call for construction bids on what’s becoming known as “Pandora’s pavilion.” Board members Greg Triggs and Cass Collins said putting the current proposal out for bid is merely a way to collect more information. Collins said she had to assess costs before she could make an informed decision, and looking at bids was a way to do that.

But bids will give only an initial assessment of the cost. According to town supervisor Ben Johnson, the pavilion will eventually need to include a flush toilet built according to planning and zoning regulations, and the initial plans drawn up by architectural firm Charles G. Woods and Associates do not include a flush toilet. So, the bids and cost estimates won’t include a flush toilet either, he said. 

The proposed structure, which will provide shade, shelter, and (eventually) bathrooms at Tusten Multigenerational Park, has brought many fresh faces to town hall to argue their case, both for and against. 

Supporters, like the Tusten Youth Commission, say the town needs more amenities for families. And critics have been putting up signs all over town that sum up their view: “PLANT TREES NOT PAVILIONS.” 

Meanwhile, the town’s grant administrator, Sullivan 180, which last spring awarded the town a $20,000 matching grant for the pavilion, won’t even consider giving Tusten any more money until its old grants are closed out. 

Board member Bruce Gettel was hesitant. “There is really just no clear direction,” he said.

At a meeting in October, resident Vanessa Reeves offered the project cleaning services from her company, Vanessa’s Cleaning and Home Management Services. She said her husband’s company, Reeves Mountain Holdings LLC, would provide free labor.

The plan is under review by the Upper Delaware Council (UDC), which will determine if the project is in line with the river management plan. 

Johnson said, judging from correspondence with Laurie Ramie, the UDC’s executive director, he does not foresee a problem with the application. 

Kevin McDonough voted against putting the project out to bid. “I’m pro-children, pro-parks, pro-activities,” he said. “But it’s too big.”

Triggs was initially hesitant but voted in favor of putting the project out to bid. He said he wanted all the information needed to make a decision. 

The board formed a committee to aid in the next steps for the pavilion project and more generally to manage open space in the town.