New Rochelle Should Tell Developers What We Want

Written By: Talk of the Sound News

Dissatisfaction with many areas of new Rochelle City Government were expressed by the members of the New Rochelle Citizens Reform Club at their last meeting. Councilmen Ivar Hyden (Democrat) and Albert Tarantino (Republican), when asked, had serious reservations about proposed developments in the city.
Tarantino was skeptical about the up-coming vote on the Echo Bay proposal and also has serious concerns about the Albanese proposal. Neither project was voted on at the March 21 meeting. The hearing for a new cabaret licensing procedure which would allow the Council to grant the license rather than the police was supported and did pass at that Council meeting.
Many questions arose over the proposed Albanese development. Were the residents of the adjacent Bloomingdales Lofts consulted and the reasons why they moved downtown in the first place established? Leroy Grayson wanted to know. Tarantino answered that there is no room for housing in the densely populated southern half of the City. Hyden continued, saying he was “not in support,” Then Marino Michelotti expressed concern that the development would make parking, especially in downtown, worse. Since Tarantino and Hyden are long-time businessmen in downtown, Michelotti asked where their customers are going to park? Hyden said he was “not in support,” and then remarked: there are lots of issues besides parking. The audience laughed at the developer’s claim that there would be only a small number of children living in his projected apartments.
Another member challenged the previous claim made by the City Manager Chuck Strome that the Church-Division garage was unstable and needed to be replaced. Since one member had worked in this field he said the steel construction just needed a little work. The real problem in his view was the vandalism on the top deck and cameras were suggested to solve this. Jim Killoran, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, offered his volunteers for painting the garage and cleaning up where needed. He continued: the City does not need people “from outside. We don’t need more development here, we deserve better.” This Church-Divison garage, according to Tarantino, was built with money from downtown business landlords and he felt it does not have to be torn down. He stated developers want to build on (free) City land and reminded the group that when the City asked for proposals for Garden Street where property would have to be purchased, none were received. Albanese wants to build on the City’s (free) parking lot. Hyden reminded the group of the Democratic control of the Council, but said, “each issue is individual,” and based on merit. He wants to do the right thing.
One way streets according to Tarantino do not help retail. Several other problems with development in downtown were enumerated by Robert Cox, Founder of New Rochelle Talk of the Sound blog. He cited the IDA (Industrial Development Agency) deal with Cappelli and the rather new
Commissioner of Development, Michael Freimuth’s emphasis on obtaining commercial development. Ralph DiBart, Chairman of the Business Improvement District, in his view is hampered when trying to bring restaurants here because the state liquor authority ruling limits how close to a church they can be if they serve liquor and at present there is “only one-half a block” in downtown where you could obtain a liquor license.
Hyden added we don’t know what we want downtown to be. Mitch Spalin summed up the feelings of many in the group, “We should tell developers what we want.” Former State Assemblyman Ron Tocci reminded the group of the Future Visions report which has been put on the shelf for 20 years. Avalon was the result. Comparing New Rochelle’s 80,000 residents to White Plains’ 50,000, he said White Plains generates $110 million in taxes while New Rochelle produces about $20 million, then asked “Who’s paying for this imbalance?” The lack of planning has put New Rochelle behind the eight ball. He emphasized the City needs a master plan where “we” can tell developers what we want.

In the March 29 issue of the Westchester Guardian

2 thoughts on “New Rochelle Should Tell Developers What We Want”

  1. Want or Need; Actually Both
    bob covers it well. you cannot and should not abrograte responsibility meaning city management is responsible for this process. it is about the same on the Armory; you cannot turn it over to a citizen’s group, it is the cit’s responsibility and the state would not grant this right to any ad hoc citizen’s group.

    the presumption is that the city has the necessary planning expertise which embodies planning, fiscal, operational, etc. if they do, it has been sorely lacking and very deferential to the power sources such as enablers. it has also suffered from an over-reliance on the same sources, lacks coherency in terms of combining what appears to be several different planning venues, and plainly ignores large segments of the city.

    so much for need…. concerning want, it is evident that these largely ignored or minimally segmented groups of the community have been ignored, marginalized, or filed in the circular file.

    the answers are very, very, disturbingly simple. work with the community, all segments of the community, whether perceived as friend or foe. I am very disturbed at what often appears as a McCarthy-type listing of who cannot participate based on opposition to ideas, ideology, or what appears like demographics.

    speaking i think for more people than the power brokers would like to admit, I and others are not the enemy. we love the city and there are many gifted people down these parts, who want to serve. If we are disqualified for any reason, come out and identify us by name and not in back rooms or closed sessions.

    I would gladly perform any role that would benefit new rochelle.

    here is how it really is.

    1. the administration should empower and actually seek to embrace those who are not “part of the team.” for instance, the armory. form a strong team with commitment to preserve it, apply sustainability techniques like solar powered roof(s) and others, use the majority of the ideas gathered by the citizen’s group which is based on broad community input and ask Ron Tocci to co-chair its restoration along with Michael Freimuth. The 7 member city council should step back as review and approval authority. this is simple and effective.

    2. nothing is more important in New Rochelle than the renewal and restoration of its business district. It embraces many facets of city growth, reform, renewal…. the list is long; safety, controlling the needs of our colleges via proper rezoning, decentralizing city hall to bring vital services and to show commitment to the community down these parts, restoring a diminishing reputation of our city in the investment and residential external environments.

    once again, it must be restoration and renewal, not new resource allocations which we cannot afford under any circumstances.

    many of us want in and the city should respect this fact and understand that it is not power or control, but just a love for our city and the rebuilding and recognition of a baseline citizens group that has been long ignored.

    you say you have a community group looking at budgets, etc….. but with few exceptions, these are people hand picked and even the weighing of who they are and how they arose, points to city hall control. besides there is no published evidence that anyone in power, including the mystery consultant, has any knowledge or experience in a sine qua non of strategic planning which is a defined assessment process.

    dont’ take my word for this… my reputation sadly is among you that “I think I know everything.” Not the case, I just know how to question and how to proceed and put points on the board. That is not everything.

    But I do know one other thing. Noam, you are seemingly concerned about your legacy. I offer this opinion.

    Your gifts are formidable, your intellect unsurpassed, but you misread “legacy.” No greater legacy exists than that of a healer, a person so committed to his constituents, his community, that he or she is willing to embrace what is necessary and welcome those who are seeking a place at the table.

    I will let it go at that. This all rests in the hands of the City Council and a good man’s ability to see through a glass that is presently dark. Bring light, plenty of good people in this community ready to walk shoulder to shoulder with you on this.

  2. They Have No Clue!
    Peggy,
    The problem is that our leadership doesn’t know what they want. We haven’t developed a committee for that yet. We have no Master Plan. Time and again the city wheels and deals with the out of town developers. None of them have a vision for New Rochelle, only for their own interest, bank accounts and political careers. There is a major disconnect between The Mayor, The City Manager, The City Council, City Staff, the community and yes even the developers. We have plenty of well-intentioned people and business owner right here in New Rochelle. But time and again we read that they are doing projects in our surrounding communities. Here is part of something I just wrote the other day.

    Most plans if any are at the cost of tax payer dollars and The Citizens of New Rochelle. I have not heard one statement from Iona College, Monroe College, Cappelli Developers, Young Companies, Forest City (which ever) and most importantly The City of New Rochelle’s Mayor, City Manager and their Council Members about any type of Master Plan. Stop all of the committee’s. We need visions and leadership. Not back room deals and magic tricks with smoke and mirrors. We need the people from Iona College, Monroe College, Cappelli Developers, Young Companies, Forest City (which ever) to meet with the people up front and personal. Have a town hall meeting and collect all the great ideas that are out there. Then put forth some meaningful proposals. Most importantly, we need A Plan.

    We have a company right here in New Rochelle that just upgraded the Mamaroneck Train Station. What a great example of working with the village, community and state leaders and others such as Jim Killorian from Habitat for Humanity. Such a novel approach! Jim works with communities all over this country. Why hasn’t the city elders reached out to Jim? He has reached out to them with little or no response. John and Christ Verni from New Rochelle bought the Mamaroneck Train Station from the MTA. Vernco, the brother’s company, utilized several “green building” techniques and incorporated them into the building. Verni explained that in planning and development, the project is a type known as “adaptive reuse”. Several of the historic elements had been preserved and incorporated into the design. Looks like they Do Green. What a useful resource they might be for the Armory. Why is it good New Rochelle people that want and would help need to travel outside our city to do good? All we have is questions but never any answers.

    You see as I said, We have no Master Plan. No one hits the streets and talks to the community and the business owners. We see time and again where something was done because conversations were had. Only to find out that the communication was either never had or was very limited in scope to targeted groups that would support the ideas. The other fall back is that, because “It was put up on the cities web site.” The city gave notice. All too often communication comes out at the last minute before a holiday or weekend where there is no chance for comment or reaction from the people or even The City Council Members themselves.

    It is time to stop pontificating and get off the high horses. Get out from behind the decks and out of the back rooms and get out in the streets. See the people that matter and are living day to day to survive. Speak with the shop owners that are on the verge of going out of business. If the police are doing park and walks how about The Mayor, The City Manager, The City Council, department management and staff hitting the bricks. See what is going on. No more surprises like the City Yard disaster. When was the last time any of them stopped and talked to a work crew on the side of the road to see what was going on. They need to get it before they can get it!

    “Common Sense for the Common Good”.

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