Letter to Editor, Journal News, July 20, 2013
Re: Echo Bay park proposal revitalized in renderings by Ned P. Rauch, July 7, 201
Forest City according to Rauch’s article has released new renderings “of its proposed 5-acre park on the waterfront.” While the images portray relaxing waterfront uses on this “industrial no man’s land” on New Rochelle’s City Yard, the environmental impacts are omitted. County Legislator James Maisano is quoted about the lack of sufficient retail space needed to generate “economic activity.” Former New Rochelle Mayor Leonard Paduano cautioned, “The last thing we need is more rental housing.” Remarks citing Forest City’s agreement to pay $17,500 per public school student is disingenuous since all city services will need to be increased. Forest City Residential has also requested an IDA (Industrial Development Corporation) tax abatement.
Earlier this year, the Westchester County Planning Board released a report describing major concerns about this development. This Board was not in favor of placing a residential development adjacent to the County wastewater treatment plant and in a flood zone. They said no evidence has been presented whether soil remediation is possible to residential standards.
The connection to downtown and transit was disputed as far away. Open space in the Board’s opinion clearly exists at nearby Five Islands Park. They were critical of moving the City Yard and the lack of “an exact proposal for the Armory.”
Residents have raised concerns about the impact on nearby neighborhoods. The amount of additional tax dollars needed for a new City Yard should be acknowledged and addressed.