Two Strangers, One Vanished Developer, and 47 Empty Acres in Red Hook

Nearly four years ago, a developer bought 47 acres south of Red Hook’s Hannaford and promised a 120-room hotel, with the jobs, tax revenue and lodging the town has long wanted. Since then almost nothing has happened. Then two visitors from Argentina showed up unannounced at Supervisor Robert McKeon’s office. They said the developer, Ruben Santurian, was no longer involved, and they asked how far the project had advanced. Daily Catch reporter Athan Yanos joins editor Emily Sachar to explain what he found: Santurian’s unusual path from sculptor to developer, his record of unfinished projects across the country, at least 15 lawsuits alleging investor fraud, and why the parcel could sit empty for decades. It’s also Athan’s farewell episode before he leaves for Houston, and he hands the Red Hook beat to Aleah Gatto. To close the show, Aleah brings an audio report from the Tivoli Street Painting Festival. Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio