JEFFERSONVILLE - The boom in tourism and new businesses for some Sullivan County communities –– Callicoon or Livingston Manor ––  has not yet hit the Village of Jeffersonville.

According to a gathering of business owners at a Village meeting last week, only three buildings stand in the way of this growth.

The offending structures include the Blue Victorian at 4874 Main St., vacant for 15 years; the empty and dilapidated Stella’s Restaurant across the street; and the building at 4885 Main St., on the same side as Stella’s.

“I go into Callicoon or Narrowsburg, and they are filled up,” said storeowner Ryan Terracciano of the Catskill Outdoorsman. “I can’t even find a parking space there. Then I come back to Jeffersonville and it’s a ghost town.”

“I have no foot traffic at my end of town,” continued Terracciano.”

Terracciano, who teaches archery for adults and children, lost a number of kids at the classes due to their parents feeling unsafe in Jeffersonville. 

“I talk till I’m blue in the face but it’s perceived to be unsafe,” Terracciano said. “Please, do something.”

President of the Jeffersonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Lauren Seikaly, weighed in on the positive side of downtown Jeffersonville; as well as its sheer lack of space. 

“In the past month, we have had 10 requests for commercial space,” said Seikaly. “We have people with retail ideas and no space to put them.”

One entrepreneur would like to open a children’s bookstore but there’s no space. “That’s the type of business that drives people to come and to stay,” she said. 

She and her husband own the Jeffersonville Bake Shop, Tavern on Main, the building that houses the U.S. Post Office, and others. 

“I see the effect of a Saturday afternoon here,” said Seikaly. “I watch people come into town and then decide to go to Manor or Callicoon.”

One speaker, homeowner Mike Gallagher, has worked in capital improvement programs for 15 years. He offered his services free to start an economic development program, that is, a program to support economic growth by providing resources and assistance. 

Village Trustee Greg Brewer has studied the issue of dealing with dilapidated buildings, particularly in the village of Goshen. 

“I think we’ll have to get stronger laws,” said Brewer, “and that would take a few months.” 

After hearing the speakers, Mayor Bill Chellis said that the Village Board will gather together a group or committee that will draft recommendations for the next board meeting.

“I agree fundamentally in what you say,” said Chellis, speaking of rules for buildings. He added, however, that he would fight for people “who live here 12 months of the year, pay their taxes and have a house that is just a little rundown.”