Now, as hopes of a brighter future revive, and Canal Street seems to have come back to life with a destination theater and restaurants, the development of the village hub — and neighboring Center Street as well as the rest of Canal — seems to be taking center stage again.

"Historically, Canal has been more developed," village mayor Jeff Kaplan said, noting how the main thoroughfare has long boasted banks, the town hall, and merchant shops close to affluent homes built up along Maple Avenue, where the school now sits.

Center Street saw development as well; but as village manager Joseph Stoeckeler explained, it was more tuned to the working-class via taverns, markets and eateries.

As Canal saw steady development throughout the early 20th century, Center was part of a more robust urban renewal project during the 60s. While removing dilapidated buildings and putting in new swaths of paving in the name of progress, literally, later development didn't go as planned, according to Brian Schug, village building inspector and town of Wawarsing planning board chairman.

Today, though, the divide of the past half century since urban renewal seems to be blurring.

"I'm predicting in a year, Center will be as attractive as Canal," Schug said.

In the past five years, Stoeckeler said, development has been most notable on Canal, where the Shadowland Theatre, Aroma Thyme and The Publik House have added to the street's allure. Nevertheless, the most money — in building projects coming through the building department, Schug said — has been more recently targeted towards Center with Gaby's restaurant being a prime example via its new construction breaching both Canal and Center streets.

Additionally, on-going work to Shadowland's Center Street frontage, as well as at Simons Upholstery (the old Moo Duk Kwan Academy site), is a sign of steady forward movement, he added.

Kaplan says it's all part of a level of progress that renews his sense of hope.v "Center never was as nicely developed as Canal," he said. But he added that that could now change what with the development of the new Gaby's restaurant and other businesses set to attract more commerce to the area. "We need more private entities interested; but the problem is a lack of commercial activity."

Also hurting Center Street's business prospects, the mayor added, is Norbury Hall, the former classic theater space presently owned by Pioneer Fire Company... and not being restored to the level the company initially proposed. Although, he added that he will be present at the opening of a new laundry center in the classic old faux half-beam structure at 79 Center this Friday morning, October 10.

Going forward, Kaplan said, the village would do what they could to assist in the re-birth of the commercial district — much of which hinges on the proposed casino.

"There's a much greater likelihood of growth in the area with the casino, but I don't want to be overly optimistic," Kaplan noted.

He and Schug pointed out the benefits of Shadowland, and local growth of smaller boutiques and mom and pop stores throughout the village. In addition, should a casino be okayed, the two noted how there would then be a need for retailers to figure out the needs of the new workers who might move to town.

As Stoeckeler explained, eventual changes might mean the possible need for a tailor or shoe shop, a bar or two, and more eateries... as well as the right kind of business person who's content in making a living without all the glitz and glamor of the big time.

"There is room for more mom and pop shops," he said, pointing out how the rent asked for empty business fronts on both Canal and Center are affordable and haven't increased much in the past fifteen years.

It's that very mind-set — thinking small and staying local — that may save the village after all according to March Gallagher, chief strategy officer of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a non-for-profit policy, planning, advocacy and research think tank whose mission is "to promote regional, balanced and sustainable solutions that enhance the growth and vitality of the Hudson Valley."

"It's the quiet success stories that bring in dollars... and jobs," she said.

Noting the village's economic decline over the years and subsequent hopes of rebirth, Gallagher explained how the problem wasn't unique. "While I think there's a sense in Ellenville that it's just Ellenville, many towns are experiencing the same problems," she said, mentioning the likes of Kingston, Newburgh, Liberty and Monticello. But, she went on, there are gems specific to Ellenville — like Shadowland and Gaby's and Aroma Thyme — that are precursors of "great things happening," and those assets have to be weighed along with the village's weaknesses, such as the lack of village-wide natural gas availability, that may detract from future growth.

While there are a plethora of business opportunities, as well as low-interest financing such as the Ellenville revolving loan fund and grants offered through the Ulster County Office of Business Services, Gallagher said not many interested entrepreneurs may know of the opportunities and options, and established businesses may not be eligible for all assistance.

Furthermore, without a definite decision regarding the Nevele, Gallagher added, it would be difficult to devise a strategy moving forward. "With the town and village, now, it's wait and see in terms of re-doing," she said. Yet she remains highly in favor of a growing push towards shared services between the two municipalities.

Pattern will be rolling out an urban action initiative plan in early 2015, Gallagher added, that will focus on the revitalization of urban centers throughout the Hudson Valley, with Ellenville already chosen as a key participant.

Just wait and see about that...