ELDRED — Sullivan County will have a new $16 million destination spa with a focus on health, relaxation, tourism growth and new jobs for area residents and vendors.
The Eldred Preserve in conjunction with the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the spa project on June 18, laying shovels in the ground.
The financial incentives package for the Preserve expansion includes $704,000 in sales tax abatements, $250,000 in mortgage recording tax relief and a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes property tax agreement through the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency, as shown on a benefit-cost analysis for the project.
Available to guests at the Preserve as well as the general public, the spa destination has been in planning stages for about two years, according to Scott Samuelson, chief operating officer at The Eldred Preserve. It will be a full-service spa offering facials, experiential showers, plunges, sauna, pool and garden. The projected opening is in fall 2027.
“We’re hoping that it’ll bring something to the community that they will enjoy,” said Samuelson, “and brings us more guests specifically focused on health and wellness.”
Located on state Route 55 in Eldred in the Town of Highland, the Catskills Preserve resort site also houses the Bradstan Country Hotel and the Homestead Restaurant. A merger of the three entities opened in 2021, and it was envisioned by Daniel and Joan Silna, the current owners who are also funding the spa project.
Economic growth for the region
The 14,000-square-foot spa is expected to spur economic and tourism development in the region, including an estimated 25 construction jobs. The wellness facility will bring at least 15 new jobs on the payroll, plus a rotating set of vendors, according to Samuelson.
The spa project, submitted to the SCIDA by Amytra Development, LLC, was approved for a standard tourism package PILOT for 15 years, pending signing, according to Ira Steingart, chief executive officer at SCIDA.
“The first five years are 100% abatement above what they pay for the land and all that,” Steingart said on the phone. “In other words, there’s always a base. You don’t get a discount on what you’re paying before. It’s on your improvements. Over the life of it, we (the county) are getting eight times that in benefits. So it doesn’t cost anything to do it, is what I really want to say.”
During years 6-15 of the PILOT, the tax amount increases by increments of 10% each year until it’s the full tax.
Local officials attend
District 100 Assemblywoman Paula Kay presented Samuelson with a Spa and Wellness certificate of merit.
Others in attendance included Marc Baez, President and CEO, SCPED; Matthew McPhillips, District 1 legislator; John Pizzolato, Town of Highland supervisor; and Joshua Potosek, Sullivan County manager.
“This facility and these grounds are one of the crown jewels of our tourism infrastructure and economy here in Sullivan County,” Potosek said, “which we fully support as a county government.”
Potosek applauded Highland for welcoming “responsible economic growth,” which he said was needed all over the county. He thanked the partnering entities, the IDA and the Chamber for Economic Development.
Contact reporter Vandana Saras at vsaras@usatodayco.com and @orangecountynyreporter on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Eldred Preserve breaks ground on $16M spa in Sullivan County
Reporting by Vandana Saras, Middletown Times Herald- Record / Times Herald-Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Vandana Saras, Middletown Times Herald- Record | USA TODAY Network
