| For his efforts
in rehabilitating city properties, Behrends
was named the winner of the Dutchess County Economic
Development Corp.'s 2001 Business Excellence Award
for urban entrepreneur.
Behrends' company, Precision Contractor,
is also working as general contractor on Harlow Row
in the city, a project through Hudson River Housing
to create affordable rental housing with a mix of
studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and
three-bedroom duplexes. Behrends said he
expects to complete work on the Little Market Street
project by September 2002.
''It's an old Victorian-era building. Only the
exterior masonry remains intact -- we've done all
the interior and everything else from scratch,''
Behrends said.
Unmatched skill
Kevin O'Connor, the assistant executive director of
Hudson River Housing said Behrends' skill and
professionalism with his work on Harlow Row are
unmatched.
''We're off to a tremendous start. He really
understands urban buildings and what it takes to
rehabilitate them,'' O'Connor said.
Behrends also has plans for an upscale
restaurant ''match'' for the 202-206 Main St.
buildings. The restaurateur has opened a similar
place in New York City's Tribeca.
''It's going to be an eclectic little place. It's
going to be a lot of exotic appetizers ... a place
to see and be seen,'' Behrends said.
He also has plans for an upscale coffee shop named
Demitasse and antique shop to go into the same
block, both of which he will be opening himself.
''I basically want to turn the neighborhood
around. With the Kessler and Shahinian galleries
it's an artistic kind of area,'' he said. ''After
shows at the galleries or the Bardavon Opera House
we want to attract that clientele to the area.''
Lorraine Kessler, the owner neighboring Lorraine
Kessler Gallery, said she and Behrends have
formed a symbiotic relationship.
''(Behrends' work) has certainly affected
the downtown area. He has restored and made viable
three commercial spaces. When that takes off it's
going to be a major push for the block,'' said
Kessler.
Behrends has also been busy renovating
residential buildings, such as 171 Mansion St.,
which was nearly destroyed by a fire several years
ago. Today, it's a six-family house back in living
condition.
Victorian atmosphere
Behrends said he prefers to work with older
houses to keep the Victorian atmosphere in
Poughkeepsie. ''I like to specialize in old,
abandoned buildings that others are loathe to get
into. It's more challenging. These have been in
decay for years,'' Behrends said.
Charles North, president of the Poughkeepsie Area
Chamber of Commerce said Behrends deserves
the award for running a well-managed organization.
''Jon Behrends has taken hulks of
buildings and turned them into beautiful market-rate
apartments. He has turned neighborhoods around with
his work,'' said Poughkeepsie Mayor Colette Lafuente,
who nominated Behrends for the award..
Other examples of his work residentially and
commercially are 138 Montgomery St., 47 Carroll St.
and 1 Civic Center Plaza. Behrends is also
responsible for building the additional wing of the
Poughkeepsie Galleria between the Old Navy and H&M
stores, as well as several stores within the
Galleria and South Hills Mall.
AT A GLANCE
BUSINESS AWARDS
This is the eighth in a series of 11 stories
profiling winners of the 2001 Dutchess County
Economic Development Corp.'s Business Excellence
Awards. Winners were chosen because they have made a
significant economic contribution to Dutchess
County. In addition to winners in 10 categories, a
county firm will be given a special DCEDC Business
of the Year Award at a dinner Oct. 30 at the Holiday
Inn & Conference Center, Route 9, Fishkill. For
information, call (845) 463-5400.
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