Highly Successful New Rochelle Development Commissioner Luiz Aragon to Retire

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Luis Aragon, the most ambitious, successful Development Commissioner in the one hundred and twenty-one-year history of the City of New Rochelle, incorporated in 1899, will retire at the end of the year.

Aragon will leave behind a legacy that will define New Rochelle for decades to come.

Aragon officially notified New Rochelle City Manager Charles B. Strome, III today. Aragon shared the news with City Hall staff this morning. His retirement will be effective on December 31st, 2020.

The City of New Rochelle issued a statement at the end of the day:

During Mr. Aragon’s tenure, New Rochelle quickly became a leading transit-oriented development destination through its once-in-a-generation redevelopment with 32 new projects on the rise or in development across 12 million square feet of Downtown real estate. Mr. Aragon also introduced new transportation and technology initiatives to help enhance New Rochelle’s image as the ideal place to work, live, learn and explore and to better connect and serve all our neighborhoods. Mr. Aragon joined the City of New Rochelle in 2013, bringing more than two decades of governmental experience in New York City and New York State.

“During his time with the City, Luiz and his dedicated staff have worked so hard to envision and implement the City’s redevelopment efforts, transforming New Rochelle into a vibrant, reimagined place. I thank him for his unwavering dedication and hard work, and I wish him success in his future endeavors,” said New Rochelle City Manager Charles B. Strome, III.

“Luiz has been an extraordinary asset for our city, who has brought exceptional creativity and drive to his duties. More than any other single individual, he deserves credit for the dramatic transformation underway in our downtown and for a variety of other positive changes. He leaves an impressive legacy that will shape New Rochelle for the better for many years to come,” said New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.

“Working for the City of New Rochelle and overseeing our remarkable Downtown redevelopment has been the highlight and honor of my professional career. I’m incredibly grateful to the City Administration including the Mayor and City Manager, the City Council, all of our public and private partners and my development team who have all played an important role in transforming New Rochelle into a center of culture, community and innovation,” said New Rochelle Commissioner of Development Luiz Aragon.

“After more than 30 years of public service, Luiz Aragon is fulfilling a central tenet of public service which is leaving it better than when he found it. From revitalizing New Rochelle’s downtown to helping New Rochelle’s residents recover from the global pandemic, we are grateful for his leadership and his partnership, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Scott Rechler, CEO and Chairman of RXR Realty, New Rochelle’s Master Developer.

The City will begin an extensive recruitment process shortly that will likely extend into early next year. Kathleen Gill, Chief of Staff/Corporation Counsel for the City of New Rochelle, will serve as the Interim Commissioner of Development until that recruitment process is complete. The City of New Rochelle will retain Mr. Aragon as a consultant until a new Commissioner of Development has been selected to ensure a seamless transition.