MONTICELLO – The Sullivan County Legislature is considering redeveloping the former Apollo Plaza on Lower Broadway in Monticello. Lawmakers took the first step Thursday by exploring the possibilities during their Executive Committee session.

The Apollo, which has stood empty for the past several years, was officially deeded to the county following foreclosure proceedings in early November.

The Apollo site is prime for development, said County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Rouis, who said the county legislature would be remiss to offer this property up at the next real property tax auction.

“This is a unique property in that it is already zoned for commercial purposes, and has water and sewer readily accessible,” he said. “Rather than simply selling this property, I’d like to see the county develop the property, with the assistance of our economic development agencies, into a mixed-use property that increases our tax base, brings additional sales tax revenues and provides affordable housing alternatives, as well.”

County legislators heard from the county’s Economic Development agencies, including The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, the Sullivan County Visitor’s Association and the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency, as well as Marissa Brett, vice president of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, about how other properties are being marketed throughout the Hudson Valley, and how the Apollo property could be developed.

“Through the consensus of my colleagues during the Executive Committee meeting, these organizations will be working in the days and weeks ahead to develop a strategy for how to market this property to developers and other interested parties. We look forward to hearing back from them by the end of December,” said Rouis.