Jim Killoran, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, has been meeting with the SoNo New Rochelle business group and has collected over l,000 signatures on petitions requesting a police station, and walking police in downtown. However, the New Rochelle City Council continues to consider large scale developments for this same downtown area. (Killoran’s petition drive was initiated as a response to a recent murder in that area.)
On October 12 Killoran had another meeting with the SoNo New Rochelle group of businesses, He stated the "last thing he wants is for anyone to get hurt," and said he wanted to work with the three colleges in the city. Lou Cohen, of I.B. Cohen, poignantly added, "If it wasn’t for Jim, we would have had many more killed," referring to a group of 80 or 90 youth that came from New Rochelle High School down Main Street, and "not one" police officer saw them.
Forty years ago City Hall and the Police Station was in the downtown, but "how many times do you see them now? "Killoran continued. Mentioning two public housing projects, he emphasized, "Some of the greatest people in the future will come out of Hartley and Bracey." If there are a few that need attention, then "watch them." People don’t come downtown because they are fearful. He said he was going to address City Council that evening, then suggested that the Mayor and City Council should donate their salaries to this cause.
Among those attending the meeting was Ron Simoncimi, Executive Director of Security for Monroe College, who felt "policing is an urban problem all around the country." The Rev. Ray Mott of Family Christian Center on Main Street stated police presence including a visible squad car in downtown was "critical,"
Meanwhile the New Rochelle City Council at their two October meetings have continued to allow developers to propose more dense projects for downtown. On October 12 according to the City’s Development Commissioner, Michael Freimuth, the Albanese Organization was selected from four applicants to present a potential "Main Street Core" project with commercial and a significant number of housing units for the Church-Division garage area, At the next Council meeting on October 19 another developer, 17 Locust Avenue LLC (for an apartment project), proposed that their building would replace a parking lot on Locust Avenue presently used by Monroe College. They are requesting a zoning change which would allow a far greater density than is presently allowed. Council members did raise objections. For example, Councilman Barry Fertel wanted an environmental impact statement prepared, but the developer said it was "time consuming" and he did want to do it. Density, parking and the limited street access to this site were brought up as well as the IDA tax abatements sought.
Will City Council members explain to the 1,000 or more residents of New Rochelle that signed petitions, and many others that did not have the opportunity to sign the petitions, how they will supply adequate city services in the downtown in the future should these developments be approved? Shouldn’t a safe and vibrant downtown be a high priority?
By Peggy Goldfrey In the October 28 issue of the Westchester Guardian
development down town and it’s burden
south side man,
My reason for my statement was that when all the powers to be @ the time of getting all these building approved. Was the fact that trump the last one to be built, was going to be selling the units not rentals,and the city was going to make alot of money on the taxes that would have been generated.
But as soon as they got approved they filled to change it to rentals too, saving them money with tax breaks that go with a rental building. they claim the economy went south. I t was allready going at the time .They just knew how to side step our council and the mayor,They same way they did with the parking lot that we gave them on division, Also with them charging more in their lot’s to park ,so there tenn use up all the public parking because it is cheaper.Let’s not forget these developers know what there doing!!!
I am not saying it is just those buildings,and i am not against the dev of our down town.
I also agree the economy has alot to do with it.
The city just has to be smarter,and not rush.
Shorthanded
Too bad the NRPD doesn’t have enough cops to cover what they need, let alone feel good nonsense like this.
Police presents thin on main street,that’s not all!!
south side man,
This is a problem for all dept’s in New Rochelle.
not just our police ,sanatation,Fire. All are being strained by the lack of progressive funding. we can’t even maintaning the existing level of funding we need to keep up with demand we have as a city . Due to recent development that has been approved and built, we have a shortage all around.
I was at the meeting when Trump was Approved ,And I asked a couple of basic questions to the rep at the metting,sevral were snickerd at by people in the room .Problem is all of my questions became the history we all feard.
# 1 instead of selling at the crazy prices they projected, like $750,000 for a three bedroom, they became rentals.
#2 Taxes were, and still not being made on empty units
#3 people in existing new building’s like Avolon,and trump are not happy with the down town.
They were promised something much nicer,and are now threatening to leave .
I said it at that meeting and i will say it again ,
New Rochelle BE CAREFULL FOR WHAT YOU WISH FOR,
YOU JUST MIGHT GET IT!!!!
Develope smartly not quickly……
burden of development ???
Are their any numbers of how much of a burden the three building you speak of have cost the city and even New Roc
Are the three building you speak of using that much resources that it’s hurting the city?
I would really like to see some hard facts on how much of a burden they are. They have their own garbage pick up I don’t ever see a DPW worker go there unless it’s to change a street sign on the city’s street
I just don’t think all Dept are suffering just from three building and to blame the resent development that is just a small part of it is one sided
what’s the cost? fuel and ware and tare on the fire trucks police cars and ambulances or the added kids that go to public schools. How much of a burden our they? i would like to know!
I would really blame the Economy