History
The Wassaic State School opened on Jan. 7, 1931 as one of five new statewide facilities established to house and work with individuals who suffered with developmental disabilities. Prior to the New York Department of Mental Hygiene’s acquisition of the property in 1926, it was three separate farms.
The operation was established to alleviate overcrowding at other facilities in New York City and Long Island. Within three years of acquiring the land 27 buildings were already nearing completion. Among its first buildings were Barton, Carter and Amity halls, all standing two-stories tall and featuring an 11-bay Mission-style design. Ten of the buildings were to house 2,400 residents while another four were intended for employee housing; others served auxiliary departments and operations.
Most of the buildings constructed in the initial phase were built along two large ovals that were separated by two dining halls and a hospital. In 1933, an administration building was added.
A three-story, 13-bay building, named Berkshire Hall, was erected simultaneously to the administration building, and its primary purpose was to provide classroom activities in sewing and arts and crafts for female residents. The large building was also fitted with a bowling alley and auditorium.
Vocational rehabilitation program at the site consisted of workshops at residential buildings where participants accomplished tasks for outside commercial enterprises. They ranged from assembly and packaging chores to more industrial work, for which they were compensated. The goal was to provide people the dignity that comes with paid work.
The Wassaic operation went through two name changes, first to the Wassaic Development Center and later to the Taconic Development Disabilities Service Office (DDSO). The facility closed in late 2013 in order to integrate individuals with developmental disabilities into the community.
At its height, DDSO was the largest employer in Amenia.
Redevelopment Opportunity
New York State Empire State Development (ESD) released a new Request for Proposal (RFP) for the purchase and development of approx. 330 acres of the Taconic Developmental Center on February 19, 2025. Qualified respondents with demonstrable sufficient financial resources and ability to develop the site are required to submit a site plan, architectural drawings, community engagement plan, local hiring plan, financial proposal, and development schedule by June 20, 2025.
RFP Overview
Respondents are invited to propose a mixed-use development plan that provides housing and generates economic development. Housing should include affordable and market rate units and consider uses to support the Site and surrounding area’s residents including but not limited to, retail, community facility, and open space. Economic development uses should be informed by the current Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Strategic Plan and provide well-paying job opportunities for residents of the surrounding area. The proposal should include a master plan for the entire Site and a detailed plan for phase 1 (the “Phase 1 Plan”) for the portion of the Site within a ½ mile of the Tenmile River commuter railroad station that is operated by Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company (“Metro-North”), a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”) (see Figure 2). The Designated Developer will be selected to execute the Phase 1 Plan. NYS has allocated funds to transit oriented development - hence the Phase 1 Plan focus of the RFP.
Primary Development Objectives (from the RFP)
A mixed-use, mixed-income community that provides residential housing, including affordable housing, to meet housing demand, advance the Town of Amenia’s larger goals for creating a transit-oriented community, and improve economic opportunities for the Town of Amenia and surrounding municipalities.
- Provide residential rental and homeownership opportunities, with a minimum 10% of units across the Site set aside for households earning up to 80% of AMI. Housing units should serve a broad range of incomes and populations;
- Maximize benefits to the State of New York and surrounding community through the disposition and redevelopment of the Site while minimizing the State’s economic burden and environmental risk;
- Create local job opportunities for residents complementing industries identified in the MidHudson Regional Economic Development Council Strategic Plan, including but not limited to: sustainable agriculture, biotech and life sciences, distribution centers, film and tv production, green energy and technology, manufacturing, research and innovation, tourism
- Provide retail, community facility, and cultural uses to support the new residential development and contribute to the Town of Amenia and surrounding area’s existing establishments and services;
- Provide meaningful open space opportunities to promote passive and active recreation;
- Ensure adequate parking for the proposed development;
- Improve infrastructure and undertake environmental remediation necessary to facilitate the proposed development;
- Incorporate environmentally sustainable, resilient, and energy efficient development and building design that align with the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and broader climate objectives. Proposals that contemplate the highest certification levels will be considered by ESD to be more competitive than Proposals that contemplate lower certification(s) or no certification; and
Ensure meaningful participation by certified MBE, WBE, and SDVOB entities.