The Knolls of Dover

Situated in picturesque Dutchess County, New York along the Harlem Valley Commuter Rail Line, an old psychiatric facility nestled in the wooded rolling hills is transformed into a traditional neighborhood complete with a main street and train station.  Dover, New York is representative of many rural communities that are beginning to see development pressures and are torn between wanting the economic benefits that development can bring and the desire to maintain their rural character.  Dover has recognized the importance of “getting it right” the first time and is working together with the Developer, Benjamin Companies, to create a “place” for all of Dover.

A new transit oriented development creates a vibrant mixed-use center and main street that preserves historic industrial buildings that maintain a cultural connection with the town’s history, while at the same time preserving the natural features that include the Great Swamp River and Wetlands, the Dover Knolls, the mountain side, woodlands, natural springs, and the rural character to the west.  The existing golf course is also retained as an amenity for the residents of Dover.  Environmentally sustainable strategies include dense development at the commuter rail station, dense development on this site in order to preserve surrounding agricultural land, adaptive reuse of old buildings, reuse of demolition materials on-site, and the creation of wetlands and bio-swales to treat storm water.