New possibility for dilapidated building

The Millbrook Village Board, led by Mayor Laura Hurley, is steering the village in the right direction as it seeks input from the community on the very lovely, though somewhat shabby, Thorne building. It is undoubtedly a structure worth saving and could become, once again, one of the region’s shining jewels.For years it was used as a school, but when not in the school district’s hands it reverted back to the village (as per the Thorne family’s original instructions). And although its current situation is sticky, thanks to an uncertain lease with Michael Downing and the Thorne Project Ltd. (which is being dealt with behind closed doors in executive session and through litigation), the village has rightly set its sights on the building’s future. That, at this moment, is in large measure thanks to a group of concerned citizens who appeared at the June 26 Village Board meeting.All volunteers, the Thorne Building Supporters (as they’ve been dubbed by Hurley) are seeking solutions to what to do with the 1895 historic building, which now sits vacant and in a state of disrepair. The group seems to be most enamored with the idea of converting the decaying building into a movie theater, which if done correctly could be not only a big draw to the area but a really wonderful asset to the community (think The Moviehouse in neighboring Millerton, which helped bring about that village’s renaissance in the last decade plus). The Thorne building could easily become an anchor attraction that would draw retailers, restaurants, and most importantly, customers, to the Millbrook area with money to spend — igniting the local economy.There are plenty of ideas for the brick and stone building, which was built in the Beaux Arts classical style, most having to do with using the space for creative ventures like music, dance, film or other forms of art. The only thing stopping such a transformation, according to the mayor, is money (and those pesky legal matters).But Thorne supporter Barbara Milo Ohrbach is certain that once an idea is circulated, and backed by the Village Board, the money will start rolling in. She believes, and could be right, that residents in the village of Millbrook and town of Washington want to see that grand old building put to good use, and more than that, she thinks they’d be willing to pay for it.Besides having to straighten out any remaining legal issues with the Downings, what the village should do is align itself with these very willing volunteers and form a committee to pursue viable options for the Thorne building. They seem to have the energy, the motivation and the ideas to get started and bring one of the village’s most important buildings back to its former glory. Millbrook is already such a terrific community. A Thorne building renovation will only add to its allure. The rest of the Harlem Valley will surely be waiting with bated breath to see what plans are made for the future and how they are executed. Building on past experience, the possibilities can be fabulous.