Mid-Hudson News | Carbon Harvest Energy

Sullivan officials quickly identify a clear favorite for Apollo Plaza
January 21, 2011

Partnership with local institutions was among the benefits touted by Carbon Harvest

MONTICELLO – A very ‘green’ proposal presented by a pair of developers from northern Vermont emerged as the quick and clear favorite for development of the dormant Apollo Plaza and a portion of the adjacent former Sullian County landfill.

Three of the five who responded to the request for proposals last year were invited to make presentations to the county legislature, which they did Thursday.

County Planning Commissioner Luiz Aragon was pleased with the results of the RFP.

“All three proposals are very interesting and give us different solutions to what can be done at the Apollo Plaza. And some of these proposals can actually work together.”

That was a point that appealed to several legislators, including Alan Sorensen, whose district includes the plaza and landfill. He thinks a ‘hybrid’ is a probable outcome.

“I do. I think there’s a real opportunity here, especially since the site itself is so diverse. I really do like the idea of being able to capture the methane off the landfill, and that is something that I think coupled with the proposal for the greenhouses and the aquaculture is a pretty interesting concept.”

Sorensen and the other legislators had a clear favorite: Carbon Harvest Energy – A 25-acre commercial greenhouse, a one-half acre integrated acquaponic growing system that would produce organic tomatoes and tilapia fish, and a 25,000 square foot food storage and distribution center on the Landfill Phase II parcel. The project would also include a combined heat and power plant for recovery and utilization of landfill gas, which satisfies a county Public Works stipulation.

Jeff Jones, of Vermont Hydroponic, coordinates the agriculture and aquaculture component of the proposal.

“What we would be is the carrot to bring the large retailers to us. And, in doing that, when we have all these other farm options and local products … they want product too … it’s just that may not be enough to get them to swing their logistics around to pick up our product, so the beauty part is that 25 acres and that organic tomato and tilapia that comes out of it … they want that so they’re going to come and get it.”

Some of the large retailers in the broad chain of distribution for existing Carbon Harvest projects span the gamut, from ShopRite, to upscale Whole Foods.

In response to questions from legislators and citizens, Jones, and his partner, Carbon Harvest Energy President Don McCormick, said collaboration with local Sullivan County farmers would be essential.

Estimated hard benefits for Sullivan County would be 110 jobs after construction, with a $3.25 million payroll.

Parts of one or both of the other two proposals likely could be a part of the final picture.

The Chancellor Livingston LLC proposal includes a retail/entertainment complex on the Apollo Plaza and Landfill Phase II parcels. The existing Apollo Plaza structure would be demolished, to be replaced by at least one ‘big box’ and smaller retail. Michael Kaplan, who presented the details, mentioned one specific name: “Kohls”.

The Resnick Supermarket Equipment Corporation proposal would rehabilitate the existing Apollo Plaza for development of a supermarket, other smaller retail and entertainment.

Legislators seemed to give an edge to Resnick. Legislator Leni Binder noted it was, in her view, less “pie in the sky” than Chancellor.