Chester, NY — Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge is at the forefront of local resistance to a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in a former Pep Boys warehouse in Chester, Orange County. Residents, local officials, and Holdridge himself have raised concerns about economic impact, safety, and the federal government’s handling of immigration detention.
Supervisor Warns of Economic and Public Safety Risks
Holdridge emphasized the potential financial burden on the town.
“If the federal government were to take over the warehouse, we would lose around a half a million dollars of annual tax revenue for the town and village of Chester, which would be devastating to our local budgets here,” he said.
He also warned that protests could escalate costs for local taxpayers.
“Chester taxpayers would have to front the money for policing costs and overtime costs… The federal government isn’t going to pay us back for the mayhem that they cause,” Holdridge said.
Concerns About Infrastructure and Safety
The town’s infrastructure, Holdridge said, cannot support the facility.
“There’s no sewage capacity in the village of Chester… They’re trying to turn a warehouse that was meant for just over a hundred employees into a facility that’s supposed to house 1,500 beds plus employees plus visitors,” he said.
He also flagged the facility’s proximity to youth sports facilities as a safety concern.
“They’re planning on housing violent criminals near where kids regularly go for sports activities,” Holdridge said.
Bipartisan Local Support
Supervisor Holdridge noted that opposition to the facility has been unanimous across party lines.
“On the local level here, it has been across the board unanimous… from both Republicans and Democrats on the town and village boards,” he said.
He also pointed out strong support from residents.
“100% of the Chester residents that I have received emails and calls from have been against the facility… I’ve only gotten one email… that was in favor of the facility,” Holdridge said.
Limited Authority, But Persistent Advocacy
Although the federal government ultimately controls the project, Holdridge is coordinating local opposition and legal avenues.
“Because this facility is privately owned, I’m not sure how much power [local officials] actually have… The federal government I’m not really sure is concerned with following local zoning laws or listening to local boards,” he said.
He has circulated letters to local, county, and federal representatives, urging coordinated resistance.
“This is really a whole-of-government approach here on the local level… to continually say to the federal government, please stay away,” Holdridge said.
Supervisor Committed to Fighting the Facility
Despite uncertainty about the outcome, Holdridge remains determined.
“My gut is telling me that we are up against the wall… I will not stop fighting,” he said.
Image: The former Pep Boys warehouse in Chester, NY. (Rockland Business Journal)