Pine Island Brewery plans $2.7 million expansion at former prison

BY ROGER GAVAN
WARWICK - Mike Kraai, owner of the award-winning Pine Island Brewery, will soon close on the purchase of a former Mid-Orange Correctional Facility two story, 14,375 sq. ft administration building.
According to Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton, the new owner will then turn the building into a $2.7 million brewing facility with a tasting area, outdoor beer garden and an event space on the second floor.
He will also repave the entire parking area, which will be jointly used by his business and for town events at the nearby Wickham Manor house/ball fields.
Last Dec. 21 projects within Orange County were awarded approximately $9.6 million as part of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative and $540,000 of that amount was earmarked for this brewhouse renovation.
In addition, the Orange County Industrial Development Agency may offer up to $128,000 in sales tax relief for materials and towards the mortgage recording tax. .Plans call for a 60-foot bar, 23 taps and a brewing area that will create 5,000 barrels per year, along with a catwalk over 30 foeders, a term for much larger than regular size oak barrels.
Renovation and construction will begin this fall and should be completed by next spring. .
" Mike Kraai," said Sweeton, "has built a successful business and is committed to turning this old building into a state of the art farm brewery facility using local products and creating an exciting new venue here in our town. We are pleased that this property continues to draw unique, local business entrepreneurs willing to invest in what will be a successful rejuvenation of this important property in Warwick"
In 2011 Governor Cuomo's office announced that the Mid-Orange Correctional Facility in Warwick was on its list of seven prisons to be shut down.
Subsequently the Warwick Valley Local Development Corporation purchased a 150-acre parcel of the former correctional facility property, which included existing buildings and shovel ready building sites for economic development.
"This is a very attractive commercial development," said Attorney Robert Krahulik, president of the Warwick Valley Local Development Corporation (WVLDC), "It compliments the agricultural industry in our community and promotes tourism, a most valuable contributor to our economy."