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
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?