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New Rochelle’s Future: Downtown Plan Approved

An artist's rendering of the future downtown New Rochelle development. Courtesy RDRXX
An artist’s rendering of the future downtown New Rochelle development. Image Courtesy RDRXR.

 

The New Rochelle City Council has given final approval to the long-evolving development plan for downtown New Rochelle.  In a speech after the historic bipartisan vote, Mayor Noam Bramson described the final plan as both visionary and a detailed road map:

“It’s a vision for sustainable growth that makes our region greener and more competitive …. it’s also a detailed road-map for accomplishing that vision, because it provides developers with the clearest path ever for investing successfully in New Rochelle.  Every expectation and requirement is defined up front, the environmental review is already completed, the zoning provides for flexibility in response to the market, and the approval process places professionalism ahead of politics.” 

The master developers RDRXR (a joint venture by Long Island-based RXR Realty and Renaissance Downtowns) are now ready to launch “catalytic projects,” according to the Mayor, who noted “we’re poised to ignite the local economy right away – giving every other investor the confidence that comes from knowing that our downtown is surging forward as a whole, and that no one is alone in placing bets.

The Mayor’s statement was coupled with a list of stages in the evolution of the development plan since January 2014:

Evolution of a Plan:

January 15, 2014 – TOD Study Presented to Council

May 30, 2014 – RFQ Released

October 7, 2014 – RDRXR Response to RFQ

December 16, 2014 – Selection of Master Developer

April 1, 2015 – CSPM Process Launches

August 19, 2015 – RAP Released

September 25, 2015 – DGEIS Released

October 6, 2015 – Planning Award

November 9, 2015 – Downtown Office Opens

November 13, 2015 – FGEIS Released

December 2, 2015 – SEQRA Findings Statement

 

Joyce Newman
Joyce Newmanhttps://joycehnewman.wordpress.com/
Joyce H. Newman is an Emmy Award-winning environmental journalist, educator, and gardener. She holds a Certificate in Horticulture from The New York Botanical Garden, and is a tour guide there.

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Billy
Billy
December 15, 2015 5:46 PM

But I ask around and can’t find anyone who’s supporting this. Its more likely people have given up trying and have to just accept what comes down by not participating. And its more pay to play BS. I’d bet Bramson’s taken money from the so called developer or maybe he learned from Forest City Ratner not to mix the 2. You just need to look into the shenanigans of Greg Merchant. Sold the city a billboard and now he represents the developer? Where’s Preet when you need him?

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