Return to the "POINTER VIEW"
                         March 8, 2002

Six years ago a suggestion to transfer 300 acres of West Point land to Highland Falls began a ball rolling that has finally ended up at the feet of the Department of the Army.

The decision whether or not to support a transfer of the land ultimately rests in the hands of DA, said U.S. Military Academy Garrison Commander, Col. Ann Horner.

That same information was echoed by USMA Superintendent, Lt. Gen. William Lennox Jr. March 1, during his semi-annual command briefing to the community.

"While we are supportive of the land transfer we have done about all we can do," Lennox said. "It is now up to the Army as to whether or not they support the transfer and how it will take place."

The superintendent explained that one of DA’s concerns is whether or not a deal like this would set a precedent across the Army.

"DA is considering whether or not giving away land -- without getting any compensation -- would cause other installations and communities to then request the same thing," Lennox said.

Horner said the Army’s position right now is that no land will be transferred without compensation of some sort.

"They are looking at ways to make this happen that will satisfy all the parties involved," she explained.

Horner said the superintendent addressed the compensation issue in the letter he sent to DA supporting the transfer.

In that letter, Horner said, the superintendent stated that "If the issue of compensation for this conveyance should become a concern, I would propose that we transfer the land with the stipulation that the developer construct some amount of Army housing on the parcel for our use." The parcel is along Route 9W, across from the Pointer Echo Motel.

Horner said West Point has a housing need and that this option would build housing for soldiers at the Basic Allowance for Housing rate.

In the meantime, Town of Highlands and Village of Highland Falls officials are trying to work out an equitable compromise with DA representatives. Village Mayor Joseph D’Onofrio, said he hopes to convey to the Army just how much of a difference the transference of this land would make to the local communities.

"This land will enable us to receive new income to be able to provide the services that we need," he explained. "It [the land transfer] was always about attracting new people so that we could have some new customers on Main Street to grow the tax base for the village, the town and the school."