The main “Blue Barn” property that is the centerpiece of Michael Bruno’s Sloatsburg Village center development plan that looks to create a bucolic hiking, biking, foodie corridor from Sloatsburg to Tuxedo, with the Village itself as a destination for adventurers.

Many in Sloatsburg already know about Michael Bruno and his land-buying spree that could transform the Village from a pass-by on the highway to a bucolic biking destination.

Akiko Matsudo and John Meore of The Journal News recently sat down with Bruno to talk about his plans. Bruno created the Tuxedo Hudson Company to channel his “Hudson Valley first” focus that envisions connecting “the Hudson Valley’s natural beauty and locally-grown produce with cyclists and hikers by providing rooms to stay overnight and places to dine in the Route 17 corridor from Sloatsburg to Tuxedo.”

The idea is to leverage Sloatsburg’s location as a potential hiking, biking and adventure destination by adding interesting lodging and a collection of locally-grown foodie dining opportunities.

Michael Bruno of the Tuxedo Hudson Company talks about his plans for Sloatsburg. John Meore/The Journal News

There are some skeptics around the village who have taken issue with the on-going transformation along Route 17 and Mill Street where Bruno has been active, especially along the thin residential strip along Mill Street, which is split between rental homes and residences. As is the case with many resident-focused issues, the idea of Village center commercial expansion is NMBY driven — or, not in my back yard.

But that particular quadrant that includes Mill Street (where the original Sloat Mill once stood and was the very heart of Sloatsburg’s commercial activity) was zoned as a stand-alone Village Center in Sloatsburg’s 2007 Comprehensive Plan and accommodates most of Bruno’s planned uses such as a constellation of bed and breakfasts, restaurants and other light commercial activity.

The Village Center is the “heart” or main commercial and social activity area in the Village. The Land Use Plan envisions a mix of commercial, residential, governmental and office uses in this planning area.

A 50 room hotel concept would require a special use and is subject to Village Planning Board and possibly Zoning Board approval, as well as a vote by the Village Board.

Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright said about Bruno’s effort in the LoHud article:

“He has energized the area. He has a vision that will make Sloatsburg and Tuxedo even more attractive place for a people to visit and shop,” Wright said. “The future always belongs to those who offer the greatest hope and provide the greatest vision.”

To quote Robert Zimmerman, that chronicler of Americana: “You’re either busy being born or busy dying.” The same can be said of communities.