One-on-one with Putnam County developer Paul A. Camarda

Q. What got you focused on going into development in this particular region?

PC: Well, it started in the early 1980’s. I was in residential construction on Long Island... and as sort of a diversion or hobby I got into breeding and training Arabian horses! I stabled them—where else?—right here in the lower Hudson Valley. That was the key; I got to know Putnam County first hand and was mesmerized by its rural character and lifestyle. It also hit me—call this an epiphany if you want, a vision—that maybe I could bring something to the county that I sensed was missing.....

Q. Did it have to do with your background in development?

PC: Absolutely. I felt that Putnam was lacking in high-quality single family homes. You know, like those in Westchester and Fairfield with spacious proportions, luxury features and meticulous detailing. From a conceptual standpoint, I felt that up-scale development could impact the Putnam economy very favorably into the future. There was simply no reason why an area with so much to offer—convenience, good transportation, open space and more—should continue to ‘under-deliver’ in terms of residential opportunities.....

Q. So when did you get into action?

PC: I started out in Putnam in 1985. Over the years—and I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say this—we’ve put tremendous effort into delivering on that original vision. It hasn’t been easy going; nothing worthwhile ever is. Persistence, patience, accommodation, common sense and sensitivity to community feelings—all this came into play. And more. The results speak for themselves: more than a half-dozen sell-out developments in Mahopac, Carmel and Southeast. The “communities” include Laurel Farms, Willow Ridge and Centennial Ridge. In all, more than 220 homes that have helped transform the county’s image....

Q. Was it your intention to attract a generation of more affluent home buyers to the Putnam area?

PC: Not necessarily; it was more that we had the vision to ‘go with the flow’ of homebuyer demographics and tastes in an era of rising incomes and expectations. And that’s still our philosophy. Early on, we developed subdivisions where the homes sold for $300,000 to $400,000. Top-of-the-market at the time....and ever since, the increases in Putnam home prices have been setting national records. So from my perspective, the fact that one of our Willow Ridge homes just went for close to $1 million is hardly surprising. In fact, it’s rather to be expected. No matter what business you’re in, if you deliver quality and value-for-money there will always be a demand...

Q. Is there anything else on the horizon that goes along with your philosophy of keeping pace with demographics?

PC: Yes, that’s definitely the concept for what you might call ‘Empty-Nester Housing’—and let me explain why it’s the essence of logic. By providing well-situated groups of high-quality private homes for mature families who want to scale down from larger residences, we stand a great chance of keeping them as residents of Putnam. Think of the long-range benefit for the tax base. And on community cohesiveness. It’s an idea that makes perfect sense as the population begins to age. Understand, I’m not talking about “subsidized” housing; my plans call for the development of elegant medium-sized, medium-priced residences. Where families can “nest” with pride and in style. Who’d want to leave when opportunities like that were available right here in Putnam?

Q. On the commercial front, what’s got you energized?

PC: Many things...but first some perspective. Everyone knows that folks who live in Putnam have to leave the county to shop at high-end retail stores. Miles of extra driving...and even worse, the result is a continuing loss of sales tax revenues. It’s a fundamental flaw that can and should be corrected. The process is starting... early next year, for example, groundbreaking will take place on our 100-acre Carmel Center project just off Stoneleigh Ave. near Route 6 — 400,000 sq. ft. of space for retail and business use plus senior housing facilities. It took eight years to gain final approval—but the fact that it fulfills revenue-enhancing and other goals made it worth the effort. There’s more in the pipeline. Baldwin Hills, 275 acres on Route 6 at the Westchester line; Patterson Crossing, about 100 acres at 311 and I-84; and the potential crown jewel of them all, Gateway Summit in Carmel. It envisions a Hotel/Conference Center complex, and more, overlooking the Centennial Golf Course.