In November1972, a local development company offered to build a project at Manitou station on the Edward Swinburne property. This new development would build 630 condominium units on 125 acres (51ha) of land between Route9D and the Hudson River and have a v-shape design built into the hillside to prevent visibility from both sides. The new development would also build a new train station at Manitou, which would require a zoning ordinance from the town of Philipstown. The project's developers also wanted an assessment on the property that would create a tax decrease.[3]
Residents were skeptical of the new project and the benefits to the area, with locals in Philipstown showing opposition at a hearing on November1. Numerous residents gave oppositional statements at the hearing and talked about the increase of traffic and possible crime that would come with a new condominium complex. The Phillipstown Planning Board and Putnam County Planning Board had already rejected the project on lack of access for cars and necessary facilities.[3] The Philipstown Town Board followed with their rejection on December 28, 1972.[4]
In June1973, Penn Central Railroad announced they would discontinue 34 trains and four stations on the Hudson Division. Manitou, along with the stops at Oscawana, Chelsea and New Hamburg, were to be discontinued on July2.[5] The stations officially closed that day.[6]
Station layout
The station has two short low-level side platforms, which are each long enough for just one door of one car to receive and discharge passengers.[7]:5
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