Master Developer Selected for Downtown New Rochelle!
On October 7, 2014 The New Rochelle City Council voted unanimously to proceed with the largest and most significant economic development initiative in the city’s history. You can see the full posting on the New Rochelle City Web Site:
http://www.newrochelleny.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=818
From The City of New Rochelle Web Site:
Posted on: October 7, 2014
Master Developer Announced for Downtown
RDRXR Chosen for TOD, Downtown Development Clusters
The City of New Rochelle announced today the selection of RDRXR as master developer for the largest and most significant economic development initiative in the city’s history. In its new capacity, RDRXR will work with the city and its residents to finalize the creation of a consensus-driven, mixed-use, transit-oriented proposal based on a preliminary blueprint outlined by RDRXR that spans multiple sites and would dramatically re-shape New Rochelle’s downtown, while also spurring economic growth and job creation for the entire region.
RDRXR – New Rochelle
Transit Oriented Development District & Downtown Development District
http://www.newrochelleny.com/index.aspx?nid=1015
RDRXR Powerpoint Presentation to City Council
http://www.newrochelleny.com/DocumentCenter/View/3842
You can also view the presentation on The City of New Rochelle Web Site. Go to the Home Page http://www.newrochelleny.com/index.aspx and at the center of the page there is a list of options. Go to “View Council Meetings” and select what you are looking for which is “The City Council – COW Oct 7, 2014”. Click on video which will open up and start the video. The presentation and vote are the first items on the agenda.
You will all remember that The City of New Rochelle issues a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) May 30, 2014. They were looking for qualified developers for what they were calling The Downtown “Clusters”. This is the result of the process.
Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) May 30, 2014
Qualified Developers Sought for Downtown “Clusters”
In the release posted on the city web site it says that The City of New Rochelle is affirming that the City is “Open for Business”, New Rochelle today announced a Request for Qualified Developers for two key “cluster” parcels in the downtown – 1) The Transit Oriented Development Cluster (“TOD”) and 2) The Downtown Cluster, made up primarily of City-owned parcels but also including privately-held properties, in the heart of the City.
Posted on New Rochelle City Web Site: May 30, 2014
Qualified Developers Sought for Downtown “Clusters”
http://www.newrochelleny.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=790
For a refresher read the below article form a past POST:
City of New Rochelle issues a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”)
By Bob McCaffrey on Fri, 06/13/2014
http://www.newrochelletalk.com/content/city-new-rochelle-issues-request-qualifications-%E2%80%9Crfq%E2%80%9D
Last night I addressed The City Council at Citizens To Be Heard and spoke about some of the very ideas and issues we will face and address. I like the direction Development Commissioner Luiz Aragon and The City of New Rochelle are going with this concept. We can’t mess this opportunity up as we have in the past.
Comments for October 7, 2014 Citizens to be heard:
There is no I in TEAM!
Council it is time to work together as one cohesive team with a vision, a goal for all of New Rochelle. We need to inject new thought, vision, ideas and faith not only to Downtown but all of New Rochelle. This must be The Cities and the Citizens visions and not the colleges and developers.
New Rochelle needs to be fiscally responsible and not just use smoke and mirrors to give the appearance of lower taxes, no shell games of increasing fees. We are not a bank or credit card company. We are people on budgets just getting by day to day, week to week.
We must create a true sustainability Plan, one that integrates smart development with energy saving and producing designs. We missed the boat on several developments such as the Transportation Center. Where are the solar panels on the roof to generate power? We can’t just replace out dated lights that take more green out of the tax payer’s pockets. No more bike routes to know where.
New Rochelle needs direction and leadership, a team with management and council working together with the citizens, The Community! Plan for new development in our downtown must be based on smart growth principles and use imaginative planning to the future of New Rochelle. We cannot rebuild our city like our parks, at the cost of open space for the residents. City Park is beautiful but UN accessible unless you pay a permit/fee to play. It is closed to the very public that pays for it.
Nothing should be done by one person, group or committee. A collaborative spirit and thinking must be nurtured; a spirt that brings together citizen from around the city, not just selective committee’s full of the same people of choice as we see today. We must hold everyone accountable.
The Ceremonial Mayor and City Council have ignored the 1996 Comprehensive Plan and exasperated the very visible issues having to do with the many needs apparent in our City to grow our economy and maintain what we already have.
With some new staff members and a change in some council members, hopefully these changes will continue to grow and spread. Get it right the first time; protect the interests and the future of New Rochelle. Take the steps as a team and do what is needed to fix The Downtown Area. Create a template for the success in The City of New Rochelle and The New Rochelle Community.
That’s right, Community, A community that grows and flourishes together!