LIBERTY — Three high-profile properties in Liberty could see movement in the coming months, with Town Supervisor Frank DeMayo saying plans for the former Grossinger’s resort property may come before the Planning Board within 60 to 90 days.

DeMayo said he could not yet disclose the specifics of the proposal, but described it as a hospitality-related project with some residential use.

“It is a very exciting project that they’re proposing,” DeMayo said. “It could be really transformative to Liberty.”

The former Grossinger’s property, once one of the most famous resorts in the Catskills, has seen multiple redevelopment proposals over the years.         DeMayo said he believes the current effort is different because the developer has assembled a full team, including engineers, environmental consultants, architects and designers.

He also pointed to the scale of the land assembled for the project, saying the buyer has acquired both the former resort property and adjacent land associated with earlier ownership groups.

“The big difference here is, you have an entity that actually purchased both the [Louis] Cappelli properties and the [Joshua] Muss properties, which encompass the entire Grossinger former resort,” DeMayo said.

DeMayo said the town previously adopted a zoning change for a resort hotel district in anticipation of a hospitality-related project. While some modifications or strategies may still be needed, he said zoning should be workable.

He said the town is also working with engineers and the village to make sure water and sewer infrastructure can support the proposal. Electric service is also part of the discussion, with NYSEG working on a substation upgrade, according to DeMayo.

“It looks like the infrastructure will all be in place,” DeMayo said.

DeMayo said he is not currently aware of any tax incentives, grants or PILOT agreements tied to the project. If the developer seeks assistance through the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency or another public entity, he said that would likely become clearer after plans are made public.

Job projections are also expected to come later, but DeMayo said he expects the employment impact would be significant.

The Grossinger’s project is not the only major property drawing attention in Liberty.

DeMayo also pointed to ongoing work at Sullivan County Golf Club, which he said is being run by Tom Coyne, a golf writer and journalist who has written about his experience managing and improving the course.

DeMayo said the course has seen significant upgrades over the past two years, including new and redirected holes, along with other layout changes. He said work is continuing on maintenance, greens and fairways.

“It’s really an interesting layout,” DeMayo said.

According to DeMayo, the project has also drawn well-known backers, including actor Bill Murray, former Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce and the sons of former NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden.

Earlier plans presented to the town included a boutique hotel, housing, clubhouse improvements, a pool, tennis courts and course upgrades.

Those plans have changed, DeMayo said, but he expects the updated proposal to come before the Planning Board soon.

“That too is another really, really exciting project,” DeMayo said.

For DeMayo, the Grossinger’s property and Sullivan County Golf Club fit into a larger economic development vision for Liberty. He said the town needs to build a more diverse economy than the one that existed during the height of the Borscht Belt era, when much of the area’s economic activity depended on resort tourism.

“When the Borscht Belt was what we were known for, all the eggs were put in that basket,” DeMayo said. “We saw what happened once that market started to dry up.”

DeMayo said Liberty still sees hospitality as an important part of its future, but not the only part.

“We all realize we have to diversify in terms of our economic development,” he said.

That includes the former Frito-Lay/PopCorners property, where DeMayo said multiple companies have expressed interest.

The facility, located in the Village of Liberty, was closed by PepsiCo in 2025. DeMayo said it took time for PepsiCo to engage with potential users, but the company is now working with interested parties.

“There are multiple suitors for that facility,” DeMayo said.

One local company appears to be taking a more aggressive approach, he said, and could provide a comparable number of jobs to the former operation. He also said a hydrogen bus company previously toured the facility with engineers and may still be interested.

DeMayo said he hopes a deal could be reached this quarter or next quarter. From there, the building would likely require engineering and interior work before a new company could begin operations.

“It’s totally stripped right now,” DeMayo said. “It’s just a big, big open space.”

If a deal moves quickly, DeMayo said hiring could begin within 12 to 18 months.

“I would like to think that within 12 to 18 months that they may be able to start to hire some folks to occupy that building,” he said.

The potential reuse of the Frito-Lay site, combined with the Grossinger’s and golf club proposals, could have a major effect on Liberty’s business corridors, DeMayo said. He pointed to Route 52, Sullivan Avenue and the downtown as areas that could benefit from more workers, visitors and residents.

He said the challenge will be making sure there is enough housing to support future growth.

“If you get workers in, you need to have some housing options for them,” DeMayo said.

DeMayo said the town is working on housing, including projects near Sunset Lake Road, while the county continues to look for broader housing solutions.

He acknowledged that many of the projects have taken years to develop, but said the town may be reaching a point where several long-discussed efforts move forward around the same time.

“It’s very possible these projects could just all break at once,” DeMayo said. “We’ll just be ready.”