Although serving Yonkers as a Councilman for eight years, John Murtagh called New Rochelle his “home turf” because he had belonged to the Davenport Club. Forest City Ratner’s Ridge Hill Project was approved when Murtagh was on the Yonkers City Council. Now this same developer has been given another Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the City Council for Echo Bay development in New Rochelle. Because of term limits in Yonkers Murtagh was unable to run for a third term, He quipped that in the past 20 years an elected official had a better change of leaving office “by conviction than by the ballot box.” Nearly 10% of politicians, such as Vincent Leibell and Pedro Espada Jr., have left office because of criminal activity.
Forest City Ratner projects have been riddled with legal problems. The Brooklyn Navy Yards was a Forest City Ratner project and State Senator Carl Kruger who was convicted of taking bribes allegedly used his official capacity to help Aaron Malinsky in connection with Four Sparrows Retail Center at Mill Basin where Forest City Ratner is also the developer. In Yonkers the recent convictions of former Council woman Sandy Annabi and Zehy Jereis, former Chairman of the Yonkers Republican Party, in connection with Annabi’s change of vote for the Ridge Hill Project of Forest City Ratner. Particular mention was made of the Vice President of Forest City Ratner who testified at the trial that he held secret meetings with Jereis. Murtagh added in his opinion the no show job given Jereis by Forest City Ratner was problematic because Jareis lacked experience in that field.
Echo Bay development “could be good or bad,” depending on how honestly the public is dealt with. Contrasting Forest City Ratner to Louis Cappelli, he said Cappelli came to every meeting and was open with the community. But Forest City Residential was trying to railroad a project against a community overwhelmingly against it. Citing the approximately 40 people in attendance at the New Rochelle Citizens Reform Club Meeting where he spoke on May 22, he said developers like Forest City Ratner depend upon residents not being aware of what is going on in the community. In Yonkers Forest City Ratner used closed door meetings and executive sessions, while Alfred Del Bello, lawyer for Cross County’s expansion, would meet with the public.
An interesting question was posed by Warren Gross. He wanted to know why Forest City Ratner was not seen as a co-conspirator in the Ridge Hill trial of Annabi and Jereis. The answer given was “he did not know but he assumed they were cooperating.” Later Murtagh did mention he had been invited to the Orienta Club by the Pirros and shortly thereafter, Al Pirro was given a one million dollar retainer, (soon increased to two million dollars) to lobby for Ridge Hill.
Joyce Furfero, Co-President of the Confederation of Neighborhood Associations in New Rochelle, told the group she had asked Abe Naperstak of Forest City Residential to come to one of their meetings to talk about Echo Bay, but he refused, saying they wanted to go to the neighborhoods most effected first.” It was suggested this is a “divide and conquer” strategy and that everyone should stick together and attend the City’s upcoming (June) Comprehensive Planning meetings.
Former Assemblyman and Co-Chair of the Save Our Armory Committee spoke about the Armory which is adjacent to the proposed development for Forest City Residential. Forest City Residential originally proposed demolishing this historic Armory. He emphasized the “two and half years” of earnest fighting to save the building. Now Tocci felt a major battle had been won because the City was asking for proposals for use of the building.
New Rochelle can’t get out of it’s own way
How many times can you shoot yourself in the foot before someone takes the gun away? Look at the big picture. Over a decade of bramson sponsored refusal to deal with the armory. Now a developer comes in and reneges on their promise of overhauling the waterfront by posing a piss poor option for the single biggest project in the city. Monroe College is going to steal the armory from the city. After all they’re just a high rolling john and the city is his prostitute, we’ll give him whatever he wants as long as he pays extra. This doesn’t help the city at all, it only helps monroe and the jeromes. In fact it will destroy another part of the city.
So, why does forest city even bother with a small cap project like this? Because Monroe will take most if not all of the apartments on a long term lease. Then they steal the armory and put the criminal element they call students into the new sports arena with housing next door. Pathetic. Look at all the troubles with their student fighting and taking over the streets. you want to add more? How in Gods name does helping half way house monroe help the city thrive. The city will never thrive as long as you, the citizens put up with the friends and family network of the bramson syndicate. Wake up New Rochelle. You’re about to be screwed, again, by the “I.ve lost control of the city” mayor. Speak up if you care about your taxes, schools, and downtown. Otherwise just bend over and take it, again.
No Residential
Echo bay should be Hotels.
New Rochelle needs a plan first not hotels!
Tom,
I am sorry but the last thing we need after residential is a hotel. There is no reason for people to visit New Rochelle to stay in the hotel. If we need more hotels, then why is the Radisson half to three are quarter’s office space now and the Marriott renting to Iona College student? The same answer as the residential vacancies, there is no draw, no attraction that is in place that has a big enough selling points. Ask any realtor, I have.
As I said in my post from, it’s YOUR Armory – This is How We Keep It on 6/5? 12 “cater to Sports, The Arts, Entertainment and many different types of social events. There are several Armories close by that I have had the pleasure of dealing with over the years. As historical landmarks and as sporting event venues these locations see wonderful amounts of use. They are of great value to their communities, The City and State of New York”.
I am not attached to the Save the Armory Committee in any way, but have had the pleasure of working behind the scenes with several armories in New York City. They can grow and thrive with the right people involved. That is what we need, the right people for the job. Not hotels. Everyone right now is thinking backwards. Attract the people here and once there is a need then you can build. You see that is what developers do in a way. They buy land that others have let go for next to nothing and they are the ones in the end that reap the financial wins. Why do you think every development you see has some type of draw be it sports, the arts, entertainment and business development? They don’t build the hotels first.
We also have to deal with three separate issues here and not just Echo Bay and Forest City. We have a crumbling Armory that should be restored, a downtown district that needs to be restored, land purchased in an area not fit for a city yard and of course, we have The Potential need to upgrade the City Yard at some point. I for one feel The Armory is a win for New Rochelle if done right. It is the one thing we already have and people want to invest in and that can start the ball rolling towards the other goals. Have an attraction that draws people that increases traffic flow of people from outside New Rochelle. That can spin off on Downtown businesses and currently empty store fronts, hotels and residential properties.
Start with the first step that is in the best interest of New Rochelle and not a developer. While that plan is working you form a plan for the future of Downtown and New Rochelle. Go tonight to the meeting and see what is being put forth by Ron Tocci and the Crew. Remember this is not just about knocking out Forest City. It is about forming a plan and being resourceful to benefit The City of New Rochelle not any developers. The dollar sales must stop.
But, you need a plan.
I have to disagree Bob.
A plan which brings in hotels like Hilton, the W, Marriott, etc… Would work. NYC is on schedule to have 50 Million tourists next near. Hotel, convention center, Ferry to Manhattan, Restaurants etc would be a big draw if marketed correctly to people all around this country and the world. NYC has a shortage of hotel space. We are only 25 minutes to Manhattan, safe and rooms would be 50% of Manhattan prices. Hotels bring in hotel taxes in addition to sales tax. They don’t burden the schools, tourists spend money on restaurants, taxi’s etc… The key is proper marketing. If you bring in multiple hotel chains and boutique style hotels, it would work. And non of the chains would want to be left out for fear that it would be a big success. The small minds of new Rochelle residents that don’t travel, don’t understand the tourism industry, don’t understand the hotel industry etc…will never understand this concept.
If you bring in multiple hotel chains and boutique style hotels,
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Hilarious.
Lots more room for those Section Eights, eh?
Idoni I or II, is that you?
Too bad the revitalization of downtown New Rochelle doesn’t get the same attention as the NRHS librarian and the kids just wanna have fun video that was erroneously tied to her.
Wasn’t there a meeting or something this week? So, what is the PLAN for the REVITALIZATION of downtown New Rochelle? Yeah, thought so.
Ooooops, was that ‘bemoaning’? Oh, darn.
No Draw is Right
Who with an ounce of sophistication ( not us long time NR residents and north enders) would even consider buying or renting in New Rochelle.
Did the brains at city hall figure how to repair and maintain the bathroom at the train station yet! I can and quick.
Your right Pat- I’m adding- We need quality small businesses on Main Street and North Avenue we need smaller quality private Venues for teenagers to perform and do music dance and shows from. We need city type bars where the employees know how to treat it’s customers and a cabaret theater that can bring in decent popular artist’s like “Watercolors” in Larchmont, serve good food and drink and provide parking without harassment.
We need a Venue for local artists- painters- photographers- good bands with a dance floor that attracts a quality crowd of people. Hospitality people who know how to smile and greet whoever walks in the door and welcome them, not be deadpan as clientele arrive like your a bother.
We need more art in this and other forms. We are so close to the city yet have none of the sophistication in spirit or deed or service. What should I expect?
I don’t believe our so called leaders wants whats good for this town they are blind.
Zorro
You are right, Zorro…
they also don’t want good medical care for their citizens, either.
When was the last time you were in the ER at the piece of filth that is Sound Shore and your shoes DIDN’T stick to the disgusting floor?
Sound Shore = if you’re really ill, you go in, but you don’t come out.
Thanks, New Rochelle politicians. For nothing.
No Draw is Right
Who with an ounce of sophistication ( not us long time NR residents and north enders) would even consider buying or renting in New Rochelle.
Did the brains at city hall figure how to repair and maintain the bathroom at the train station yet! I can and quick.
Your right Bob- I’m adding- We need quality small businesses on Main Street and North Avenue we need smaller quality private Venues for teenagers to perform and do music dance and shows from. We need city type bars where the employees know how to treat it’s customers and a cabaret theater that can bring in decent popular artist’s like “Watercolors” in Larchmont, serve good food and drink and provide parking without harassment.
We need a Venue for local artists- painters- photographers- good bands with a dance floor that attracts a quality crowd of people. Hospitality people who know how to smile and greet whoever walks in the door and welcome them, not be deadpan as clientele arrive like your a bother.
We need more art in this and other forms. We are so close to the city yet have none of the sophistication in spirit or deed or service. What should I expect?
I don’t believe our so called leaders wants whats good for this town they are blind.
Zorro