Full Text Below Press Release
SEE: GrokAI Analysis: Priorities in New Rochelle Mayor’s 2025 State of the City Address
Official Press Release
New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert delivered her second annual State of the City Address this evening to a large crowd at New Roc City on Thursday, May 8.
Mayor Ramos-Herbert is the 24th mayor of the City of New Rochelle, and the first woman and person of color to represent the people of the City in this role since her inauguration in 2024. From 2020-2023, she served as a member of the New Rochelle City Council, representing District 3.
Ramos-Herbert reflected on her time serving New Rochelle and how the City has evolved since she joined the community as a resident in 2007. She described New Rochelle as a City “ready to step fully into her potential,” building on its already strong foundation.
Focusing first on New Rochelle’s economic landscape, Ramos-Herbert identified the state of the economy as “strong.” She emphasized how new development is creating long-term value for residents and visitors alike — not only through expanded housing options and small business growth, but also by helping fund essential public services. One example is the City’s use of Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs), which offer a predictable stream of revenue that grows alongside new development. Through these regular payments that increase over time – starting from the original value of the property and gradually rising as development takes shape – the City is “projected to generate more than $260 million in the first 20 years, and nearly $770 million in the 20 years after that. PILOT revenue helps fuel the essential services that keep New Rochelle thriving.”
Ramos-Herbert underscored the importance of ensuring all of this development withstands the test of time, affirming “New Rochelle stands strong in our commitment to a resilient, sustainable future for everyone who calls our City home.” She discussed the City’s updated Climate Vulnerability Assessment, a cornerstone of the 2025 Work Plan, which “identifies the specific climate-related risks our community faces, including increased flooding, extreme heat, and infrastructure vulnerabilities.” The findings will inform how the City allocates the “$13 million in grant funding” secured to support and expand sustainability efforts.
“Ensuring that all communities – especially historically disadvantaged ones – have equitable access to resources and protections from climate risks,” Ramos-Herbert explored how the City updated its GreeNR Sustainability Plan to prioritize environmental justice.
Ramos-Herbert then discussed various investments in the future of New Rochelle – from small businesses and young people to overall workforce development. “Small businesses are the heartbeat of New Rochelle,” she stated, which is why “small business support is a core pillar of The Vanguard – our bold initiative to revitalize and reimagine our downtown. As we build new housing and attract new investment, we are just as committed to creating an ecosystem where small businesses can start, grow, and flourish.”
Ramos-Herbert announced that for the second summer in a row, the City “will provide paid employment opportunities to 500 teens” through the Summer Youth Employment Program. Further, recognizing that transportation for young children can be a barrier to summer camp for some families, Ramos-Hebert stated that “for the first time, the City of New Rochelle is offering transportation for some of our youngest neighbors enrolled in our city-run camp – helping to ease that burden and ensure more children have a safe, enriching place to spend their summer days.”
Through partnerships with organizations like Soulful Synergy, the Women’s Enterprise Development Center, and the First Source Referral Center, the City is offering critical job training resources and “sponsoring programs that empower entrepreneurs – especially women and minority-owned businesses – to grow and thrive.”
As the fastest growing city in New York State, New Rochelle continues to lead the way on housing creation. Ramos-Herbert noted that over the past decade, the City has authorized more than 11,000 housing units of housing, with 7,941 already approved – including 126 affordable condominiums. Nearly 17% of approved housing is affordable – far exceeding the legal 10% threshold – and the City’s Down Payment Assistance Program offers eligible first-time homebuyers 19% toward their down payment, an amount fully forgiven after five years of residency. All of these efforts are “affirmative steps toward bridging the generational wealth gap,” stated Ramos-Herbert.
During the latter half of her remarks, Ramos-Hebert previewed projects that are part of the City’s larger goal of reconnecting the community. Ramos-Herbert described the LINC as “one of the most ambitious, people-centered projects our city has ever undertaken.” It will transform New Rochelle’s main highway, Memorial Highway, into a vibrant public space and reconnect the Lincoln Avenue neighborhood – an historically underserved community – to the City’s vibrant downtown, “unlocking new pathways for economic growth.” As Ramos-Hebert noted, the “project will include critical stormwater mitigation, helping protect our neighborhoods from flooding and making New Rochelle more resilient in the face of climate change.”
New Rochelle is already the busiest stop on the New Haven Line in New York State outside of New York City and will soon become the first city in Westchester County with direct Metro-North access to both Grand Central and Penn Station. As the City prepares for an influx of residents and visitors alike, Ramos-Herbert discussed plans “to reimagine the train station as more than just a drop-off point.” The City will redesign the Transit Center to serve as a true community hub that will improve connections to the downtown, enhance pedestrian safety, and offer access to local businesses.
“In keeping with our commitment to repurposing and modernizing how we use space, the City has officially given the green light for Pratt Landing – and we’re heading toward groundbreaking on one of the most transformative projects in New Rochelle’s history,” stated Ramos-Hebert. The project will transform New Rochelle’s long-overlooked waterfront into a vibrant, accessible community for everyone. It will also feature a reimagined Armory, restored as a premier community and event space, and two thousand square feet of dedicated space for veterans.
Ramos-Herbert praised the contributions of various municipal departments and their dedication to serving the community, and emphasized the importance of collaboration and teamwork in achieving the City’s goals, including the work of New Rochelle’s City Manager Wilfredo Melendez and Deputy City Manager Todd Castaldo.
Ramos-Herbert concluded by underscoring that every member of the New Rochelle community – “whether you live steps from Main Street or miles from it” – is part of the City’s historic transformation.
The “state of our city is strong. And I firmly believe that New Rochelle’s most vibrant, equitable, and inclusive future is ahead of us,” said Ramos-Hebert. “What a privilege it is to be part of this chapter in our story – to shape it, to witness it, and to know that when the history books are written, we were the ones who dared to believe in what New Rochelle could become.”
FULL SPEECH: REMARKS OF MAYOR YADIRA RAMOS-HERBERT STATE OF THE CITY
I still remember my early days in New Rochelle.
It was 2007.
I was 27 years old.
A junior associate at a law firm on the East Side of Manhattan… working way too many hours.
All I wanted was a quick and easy commute.
A diverse and welcoming community.
And an affordable pathway to homeownership.
New Rochelle checked every box.
One train directly to Manhattan.
Incredible diversity. A place where different cultures, languages, traditions, and stories didn’t just coexist, but wove together into something greater.
And a townhouse—space I never could’ve imagined affording in the city.
I remember walking through downtown…seeing the bones—the structure—and thinking, this place has something.
It felt like a renaissance.
And I was so excited to be part of it.
Fast forward to 2025.
Here we are—in the very heart of that downtown I walked through all those years ago.
New buildings.
New neighbors.
New energy — a sense of momentum you can feel on every corner.
But what makes this moment truly special isn’t just the new buildings or fresh opportunities. It’s the people — all of us. Whether your family has roots here stretching back generations or you just arrived a few months ago, you are part of the story we’re writing together. We grow stronger not in spite of our differences, but because of them — honoring the history that brought us here and embracing the future we’re building side by side.
And with this new energy, new opportunities to spark connection.
To bring people together, right here in the heart of our city.
And friends… I believe this moment—right now—is something special.
For reasons we’ll explore together tonight,
I truly believe—
We are standing at the edge of something extraordinary.
New Rochelle is ready to step fully into her potential…
Her promise…
Her best self
Fully stepping into that promise requires a strong foundation – economically, culturally, and environmentally. A solid base upon which we can continue to grow and thrive. And I’m here to tell you today that the state of our city is strong. We’ve created it together.
We’re getting this done a few different ways – but I want to focus on something called PILOTs, which stands for Payments in Lieu of Taxes.
I know—it sounds like government jargon. But here’s the simple version:
Think of it like this—rather than paying full property taxes right away, a developer makes a promise to our city: regular, predictable payments that grow over time, starting from the original value of the property and gradually rising as the new development takes shape.
Imagine the new buildings that have gone up in our downtown. Before construction, those sites might’ve just been empty underutilized pieces of property, with relatively low taxes. Under a PILOT agreement, the developers keep paying based on that original value at first. But as it’s built and the property becomes more valuable, the payments increase—year by year—until they’re in line with the full tax rate.
That gives the projects room to get off the ground while still supporting our city budget. And in return, the project s brings us more than just a new building. It creates jobs, offers housing people can actually afford, and adds new life to our downtown.
But let me be clear—PILOTs aren’t backroom deals. These agreements are negotiated openly, with oversight from our Industrial Development Agency, and designed to ensure a strong return for the people of New Rochelle. We structure them carefully, with clear timelines and community benefits built in—so we’re not just encouraging development, we’re shaping it to serve all of us.
That’s how we grow the right way—responsibly, transparently, and together.
Now let’s take a closer look at what PILOTS look like here in New Rochelle.
The blue column on the left—that’s what we would have collected if those lots had stayed just as they were: empty or underused. Over 20 years, that would’ve brought in about $30 million. Not nothing—but not transformative either.
Now look at the orange and gray columns. That’s the story of what happens when we invest in smart, intentional development. Through PILOT agreements, those same properties are projected to generate more than $260 million in the first 20 years—and nearly $770 million in the 20 years after that. PILOT revenue helps fuel the essential services that keep New Rochelle thriving—supporting everything from our parks and infrastructure to public safety and youth programs. In short, the PILOT revenue improves all of our quality of life!
In a time of uncertainty, this forward thinking approach is the difference between standing still and moving forward. That’s the return on building a city that works for all of us.
And as we build that city that works for all of us, we must also make sure it can stand the test of the time and weather any storms that come our way – both literal and metaphorical.
The benefits of our downtown development are not theoretical — they’re real, visible, and accessible to all of us. Together, we’ve added 26 new municipal EV charging parking spaces and created 20 vibrant murals that reflect the creativity and diversity of New Rochelle. And since 2020, 50 new businesses have opened their doors — and importantly, they’re not just opening, they’re thriving.
But it doesn’t stop there. Development has also delivered eight new public open spaces — from Anderson Plaza, Clinton Park Plaza, and Westchester Public Art Plaza to a new pocket park on Burling Lane. Soon, we’ll welcome even more: a children’s playground on LeCount Place, a dog run on Huguenot Street, a plaza at Highgarden Tower, and the transformative Pratt Landing Waterfront Park.
And we’re just getting started. Thanks to these investments, we will soon see the long-anticipated Black Box Theater activated, gain access to the Lincoln Park Conservancy History and Culture Center, welcome a new Boys and Girls Club, and open a downtown economic and small business development hub in partnership with Iona University.
These aren’t just amenities. They are the building blocks of a stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive New Rochelle. They represent a city that honors its past while boldly embracing the future.
This is the New Rochelle we are building together — a city where progress has a purpose, where growth reflects our values, and where every resident, from every neighborhood, has a stake in the bright future ahead.
The resources we have received from development allows us to stand strong in our commitment to a resilient, sustainable future for everyone who calls our city home. We’ve all seen it: flooded streets, relentless heat waves, storm drains pushed past their limits. Extreme weather isn’t the exception anymore — it’s the norm.
But here’s the difference: we’re not just reacting. We’re preparing. And we’re ready.
Thanks to our sound financial footing, long-term vision, and community support, we’re able to plan ahead. With bold strategies like the GreeNR Sustainability Plan, our Climate Vulnerability Assessment, and a comprehensive stormwater mitigation plan, New Rochelle is not waiting for the next crisis — we’re building the future before it arrives.
We invested in a comprehensive watershed study, a deep dive into how water moves through our city during major storms. That analysis identified over 120 targeted projects to help reduce flooding and protect our neighborhoods.
And we didn’t stop at the watershed study. We committed real resources—$10 million every year for the next 10 years—to put those solutions into action. Our Department of Public Works is completing ongoing projects, hard at work on the 2025 plan, and already laying the groundwork for 2026.
This kind of forward-thinking approach doesn’t just prepare us for storms. By investing in stronger infrastructure, modernizing drainage systems, and restoring natural waterways, we’re safeguarding homes, keeping roads passable, and ensuring that families can get to school, to work, and to local businesses without disruption. I hope this work gives you, our residents, peace of mind—knowing that your basements won’t flood at the first heavy rain and that your investments in your homes are protected.
But it also goes deeper. Our approach improves the health of our environment, reducing pollutants in our waterways and creating greener, more resilient spaces where communities can gather and thrive. It’s about making sure that from the calmest days to the stormiest nights, New Rochelle stands strong—protecting not just property, but the quality of life that makes this city home.
And because we did the work, we’ve already secured $13 million in grant funding to support and expand our efforts. This funding is incredibly important to us, and we’re taking care to ensure it is used as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Our updated Climate Vulnerability Assessment, a cornerstone of our 2025 Work Plan, identifies the specific climate-related risks our community faces, including increased flooding, extreme heat, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. By pinpointing these challenges, we can strategically allocate resources and implement targeted solutions to enhance our city’s resilience.
Back in 2011, New Rochelle made a bold commitment to our environment and future generations when we adopted the GreeNR Sustainability Plan. This wasn’t just a document — it was a call to action. A comprehensive roadmap designed to reduce our carbon footprint, preserve our natural resources, and build a healthier, more resilient city for all. This year, the City updated its GreeNR plan to focus not only on environmental sustainability—but also people, equity, and opportunity.
Climate change is not an isolated issue; it affects public health, economic stability, and social justice. That’s why this plan prioritizes Environmental Justice, ensuring that all communities— especially historically disadvantaged ones—have equitable access to resources and protections from climate risks. New Rochelle is not only preparing for the challenges ahead but also seizing the opportunities that come with green innovation. This is what it looks like when we plan ahead. This is what it looks like when we invest in our New Rochelle.
Investing in our community also means supporting the small businesses that comprise it.
Small businesses are the heartbeat of New Rochelle.
They are where culture and commerce meet—where a quick coffee run can turn into a conversation with a neighbor, and where a lifelong dream becomes a thriving local enterprise. From the corner store to the new boutique on Main Street, our small businesses capture the very spirit of our city: resilient, diverse, and deeply rooted in community.
That’s why small business support is a core pillar of The Vanguard—our bold initiative to revitalize and reimagine our downtown. As we build new housing and attract new investment, we are just as committed to creating an ecosystem where small businesses can start, grow, and flourish.
Through strategic partnerships and targeted resources, we’re helping entrepreneurs open for business faster—and stay open for the long haul.
Six months into the launch of the Vanguard Era, we are already supporting 8 business applications, each offering a unique vision of activation—bringing light, vibrancy, and in many cases, the physical manifestation of a dream come true.
I can’t wait until we’re able to share some of these success stories with all of you.
Because when our small businesses thrive, it’s proof that resilience and vision can turn challenges into opportunity—and dreams into reality. Speaking of thriving small businesses tonight you will have the chance to connect and taste delicious food from 10 of New Ro’s very own small businesses at New Ro Eats. Let’s give it up for Taco Project, Halal Guys, Town Pizza, Juiiicy, Oli Bar, AJ’s Burgers, Colombian House, Harpoon Hanna’s, Grey’s Donuts and Seasons!
Here in New Rochelle, we know how important it is to help all our community members achieve their dreams — especially our young people.
Our youth are watching us. As the incredibly proud mother of an 11 year old and 14 year old who have spent their entire beautiful lives in New Rochelle I know firsthand, our youth are growing up in a world many of us never could’ve imagined—shaped by a pandemic, connected through devices that, with just a few taps, expose them to ideas, images, and influences far beyond what we encountered at their age.
That’s why our responsibility is clear: we must create environments where our young people can truly be kids—safe, supported, and seen—while also learning, growing, and becoming rooted in a community that nurtures them. It still takes a village to raise a child, and here in New Rochelle, we are committed to being that village.
This year for the second summer in a row, we will provide paid employment opportunities to 500 teens — more than doubling the amount of paid opportunities previously offered. Through this program, our young people will practice interview skills, learn how to present themselves in professional settings, and gain firsthand experience working in city departments and with local businesses. These six weeks of employment provide more than a paycheck—they offer a foundation for leadership and self-confidence, preparing our youth for the future they deserve.
We also know that access to childcare—especially in the summer—remains a challenge. Camp can be expensive, and if a family doesn’t have the means or ability to get their children there, options for quality care become incredibly limited. That’s why this summer, for the first time, the City of New Rochelle is offering transportation for some of our youngest neighbors enrolled in our city-run camp—helping to ease that burden and ensure more children have a safe, enriching place to spend their summer days.
Just a few days ago, we celebrated a truly historic milestone—the grand opening of New Rochelle’s first-ever recreation center, made possible through our dynamic public-private partnership with Audi. And it’s right here, just across the way from where we gather tonight! This vibrant indoor space will allow our Parks and Recreation team to offer year-round programs for both our youth and our mature adults. It’s more than just a building—it’s a symbol of what we can achieve together. A new hub of activity, connection, and opportunity for residents of all ages, right in the heart of our downtown.
And as our city grows, so does the need to connect residents to the opportunities being built around them.
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s been a bit of building happening in New Rochelle.
Yes—cranes in the sky, scaffolding on the ground, and the steady hum of progress around nearly every corner. We’ll talk more about those buildings in just a moment.
But let me be clear: this unprecedented building boom is not just about reshaping our skyline. It’s about creating unprecedented opportunity.
Through our New Rochelle Forward initiative, we are doing more than welcoming new development—we are making sure our residents are positioned to benefit from it.
We’ve launched a dynamic partnership with Soulful Synergy, a workforce development agency co-founded by New Rochelle native Alejandro Alvarez. Their mission—creating equitable, sustainable communities—aligns perfectly with our values. This program is offering certification courses, hands-on training, career readiness, case management, and direct job placement services.
At the same time, through our partnership with the Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC), we are sponsoring programs that empower entrepreneurs—especially women and minority-owned businesses—to grow and thrive. From marketing to personal finance, these high-quality training programs are unlocking the potential of New Rochelle’s next generation of business leaders.
We’ve also retained and expanded our collaboration with the First Source Referral Center, providing skills assessments, training, and multi-tiered job placement services. They serve as a bridge between our talented residents and local businesses eager to hire.
Together, these partnerships are not just offering opportunities—they are building ladders of upward mobility right in the heart of our downtown.
We’re not just building buildings. We’re building futures—and shaping a New Rochelle where everyone has a stake in the promise of what’s next.
But in order to be a part of our future, you must first have a quality and affordable place to call home.
Over the past decade, a little north of 11,000 housing units have been authorized in New Rochelle, with 7,941 of those already approved. But let’s be honest—units is such a technical word. It may fit neatly into an Excel spreadsheet, but it doesn’t begin to reflect what this actually means.
What we’ve really approved are thousands of new homes—thousands of kitchen table moments waiting to happen. Families settling in. Neighbors connecting. Futures being built right here in New Rochelle.
While our inclusionary zoning law requires that 10% of new development be affordable, I’m proud to share that we’re already exceeding that threshold. Nearly 17% of approved housing falls within the affordable range.
But here’s what we also know: affordable housing is not one-size-fits-all. It’s a wide spectrum that touches many different lived experiences—from mature adults on fixed incomes to young professionals just starting out. I’m proud to lead a city that embraces this complexity and responds with care.
Beyond the new rental units, we’ve taken bold steps to create pathways to ownership. This year, the City approved the development of 126 affordable condominiums right in the heart of downtown—affirmative steps toward bridging the generational wealth gap.
And we are not stopping there. In acknowledgment of the lasting harm caused by the construction of Memorial Highway—which displaced predominantly Black homeowners in our Lincoln Avenue neighborhood—we have also authorized the creation of affordable homeownership opportunities right in that same community. Because justice demands more than acknowledgment. It demands action.
Our widely recognized Down Payment Assistance Program is another example of how we’re helping to close the gap. This program offers eligible first-time homebuyers 19% toward their down payment—an amount fully forgiven after five years of residency.
We can’t undo the damage of the past. But we can honor the truth of that history, and use every fiscal tool, every policy priority, and every ounce of our ingenuity to help right those wrongs and create a more just, more inclusive New Rochelle for generations to come.
As we embark on this journey, we’re getting creative when it comes to ways to build community with one another. That’s where “Complete Streets” comes in.
When I first heard the term “Complete Streets,” I’ll admit—I wasn’t exactly sure what it meant.
I thought all of our streets were complete. You can find them easily on a map. They have traffic signals. Cars get where they need to go.
But as an avid runner—someone who laces up four times a week and has trained for four marathons right here on our streets (big shout out to the New Ro Runners, the group that gave me the confidence to believe 26.2 miles was even possible!)—I knew there were some intersections that gave me pause.
Places like Pinebrook, Lincoln Avenue, and Webster. Intersections where running required more than endurance—it required vigilance.
Then, as a member of the City Council, I came to understand what Complete Streets really means.
It’s not just about having streets that exist. It’s about creating streets that work for everyone.
Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing, building, and maintaining streets that provide safe, accessible routes for all users—whether you are walking, biking, driving, or using public transit, no matter your age or ability.
Here in New Rochelle, we’ve made Complete Streets a priority—not just downtown, but across every neighborhood.
And as a result of our Complete Streets and Pedestrian Crossing Improvement Plan in the coming months, we will see real results:
- New improvements at Pinebrook Boulevard and Ramona Court
- Safer crossings at Beechmont Drive and Pinebrook Boulevard
- A redesigned crossing at Broadfield Road near Ward Elementary School
- And design studies are now underway for long-overdue upgrades at Webster Avenue and the North Avenue traffic signals.
- We are building a city where streets are no longer just a way to get from Point A to Point B—but places where safety, accessibility, and community come together.
Then there’s the LINC.
Ten years ago, the idea of transforming Memorial Highway into a vibrant public space might have seemed far-fetched. But here in New Rochelle, we dream big—and we follow through.
The LINC is one of the most ambitious, people-centered projects our city has ever undertaken. We’re replacing concrete with community—literally.
The LINC is more than just an infrastructure project. We are reclaiming that space—reconnecting neighborhoods, creating vibrant public areas, and unlocking new pathways for economic growth.
And just as importantly, we are planning for our future. This project will include critical stormwater mitigation, helping protect our neighborhoods from flooding and making New Rochelle more resilient in the face of climate change.
The LINC is how we honor our history, address longstanding challenges, and build a stronger, more united New Rochelle for generations to come.
Throughout 2024 and into early 2025, we’ve engaged in deep, intentional community outreach. We didn’t just hold public meetings—we created space for dialogue, partnership, and vision.
Because this isn’t about building for the community. It’s about building with the community.
We greatly value the feedback we’ve received, and we are actively incorporating it into our final design. We anticipate breaking ground—weather permitting—at the end of this year or early 2026.
And when we do, it won’t just mark the start of construction. It will mark the continuation of healing, connection, and progress.
Because in New Rochelle, we prioritize people over pavement. Connection over division.
Long after the ribbon is cut, the LINC will stand as a symbol of resilience, unity, and the future we chose to build—together.
As we build that future together, we’re focused on forging connections — within our own community, and with the cities that neighbor New Rochelle, up and down the Northeast corridor.
Here’s a fun fact you may not know: New Rochelle is the second busiest stop on the entire New Haven Line—second only to Grand Central itself. From our four mighty tracks, you can head to Grand Central, Washington D.C., or Boston. And our transit center isn’t just about trains—it’s also a vital hub for our region, serving nine Westchester Bee-Line bus routes that connect us to Yonkers, Mount Vernon, White Plains, and the Bronx.
And the best is yet to come.
In just a few short years, New Rochelle will become the first city in Westchester County with direct Metro-North access to both Grand Central and Penn Station. This new era of connectivity will bring even more people through our transit hub—and that means it’s time to reimagine the train station as more than just a drop-off point.
We’re turning our train station into a destination.
A modern transit center will anchor our downtown revitalization efforts—welcoming travelers, connecting our diverse neighborhoods, and sparking activity and commerce. Imagine this: a beautifully restored station that honors its architectural past while embracing its future, featuring modernized signage, a streamlined vehicular experience, and even a solar-paneled roof—making it energy self-sufficient.
And we’re dreaming a little bigger too. What if that historic station becomes a coffee shop by day and a speakeasy-style gathering space by night? A true community hub—where art, culture, and conversation thrive. A place where transit meets placemaking, where movement meets memory.
That’s our vision. That’s New Rochelle. And we’re not done yet.
In keeping with our commitment to repurposing and modernizing how we use space, the City has officially given the green light for Pratt Landing—and we’re heading toward groundbreaking on one of the most transformative projects in New Rochelle’s history.
For decades, this portion of our waterfront was hidden—tucked behind DPW garages and utility trucks. But now, that long-overlooked shoreline is being reimagined into a vibrant, accessible waterfront community for everyone.
Pratt Landing will deliver a dynamic mix of rental units, condominiums, and commercial space, bringing new energy and opportunity to our city. At its heart will be a reimagined Armory Drill Hall, restored and reborn as a premier community and event space—with two thousand square feet of dedicated community space for our veterans, honoring their service and anchoring this space as a true public asset.
We’ll also see the creation of new parks and green spaces, all just steps away from our downtown core—connecting our city to the water in a way that has never been possible before.
This is about more than development—it’s about reclaiming possibility. It’s about turning a once-inaccessible shoreline into a shared civic treasure. And it’s about making sure that the growth we champion includes, uplifts, and reflects the people of New Rochelle.
Now, I want to speak directly to those of you who may not live in the heart of our downtown.
You might be wondering, What does all this development mean for me? Maybe you live in the North End, or along the shoreline, or in one of our historic neighborhoods and feel like the cranes and construction are happening in someone else’s backyard.
But I want you to hear me clearly: this downtown renaissance belongs to all of us.
Because when our downtown thrives—we all thrive.
A stronger downtown doesn’t just mean tall buildings or new storefronts. It means a broader tax base that lifts the financial burden on homeowners across the city. It means more jobs for our teens and our tradespeople. It means more small business opportunities for our entrepreneurs, more foot traffic to support the mom-and-pop shops that have been holding it down for decades.
In the coming days you will also see a commitment to quality of life that is about more than just maintenance—it’s about dignity, safety, and shared pride in our community spaces. In our downtown, that means partnering with social service nonprofits to connect individuals struggling with mental health challenges or addiction to critical resources and support. It means enhanced cleaning, improved lighting, and a greater safety presence to ensure all who live, work, and visit feel welcome and secure. And soon, we’ll launch a new app empowering residents to report non-emergency issues—like potholes or graffiti—by simply taking a photo and geolocating the concern so our team can respond quickly. These are the everyday investments that make a difference, reinforcing that in New Rochelle, everyone deserves a city that works for them.
Because A thriving downtown is a reflection of who we are as a city. It’s our front porch—the first thing people see when they visit. It tells the story of our values, our diversity, our energy, and our ambition. It’s where we come together to celebrate, to connect, to make memories.
And speaking of coming together, let me take a moment to recognize the extraordinary team at City Hall, who join forces every day to make our success possible.
We are fortunate to be served by an incredibly talented, professional, and thoughtful group of individuals—many of whom not only work here, but also live here. Many were even born and raised right here in our beloved New Rochelle.
They are the very definition of public servants. Their skills and talents could take them anywhere, yet they choose to dedicate their careers to keeping the engine of our city running every single day.
I have the privilege of seeing firsthand the countless initiatives and efforts they lead—many of which happen quietly, without fanfare, but are essential to making New Rochelle not just a city, but a home.
At this time, I’d like to ask them to stand so we can recognize their incredible dedication and service.
Our City Manager Wilfredo Melendez, Deputy City Manager Todd Castaldo, and the members of their exceptional team for their skilled ability to bring all of the ideas of the council and the staff together and prioritize getting them across the finish line in an organized way.
Our City Clerk, Kim Jones, and her outstanding team had 13,270 contacts with the community on a variety of processes related to official records.
Our Commissioner of Human Resources, Michelle Oliveros, and her dedicated team addressed 2,310 personnel matters and conducted labor relations with seven employee unions.
Our Commissioner of Finance, Ed Ritter, and his skilled team safeguards the City’s assets through its treasury, budget debt management, accounting, purchasing, liability risk management and payroll functions while ensuring the city maintains its Aa2 bond rating by Moody’s Investors Services.
Our Corporation Counsel, Dawn Warren, and her remarkable team vigorously defend and monitor lawsuits brought against the City to achieve best outcomes.
Our Commissioner of Development, Adam Salgado, and his innovative team drives the revitalization of the City of New Rochelle, foster economic development for residents and businesses, most definitely provide technical planning advice to the City Council and manage the first time homebuyer down payment assistance program.
Our Commissioner of Buildings, Paul Vacca, and his highly capable team vigorously and methodically ensure compliance enforcement in building, zoning, housing, property maintenance and sign code. Fun fact, next time you are in an elevator in New Rochelle take a look at the name you see – spoiler alert – it is the Commissioner’s signing off on its safety!
Our Commissioner of Police, Robert Gazzola, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Neil Reynolds, and their extraordinary team responded to 6,596 more calls for service in 2024 than the prior year – a 15% increase while also expanding its community engagement with our community through several innovative programs.
Our Fire Chief, Andy Sandor, and the dedicated men of the Fire Department in addition to bravely responding to approximately 12,500 emergency incidents eased burdens on taxpayers by securing grant funding for staffing and equipment systems and also increased on-duty staffing to 36 members.
Our Commissioner of Public Works, Alvaro Alfonzo-Larrain, and his hardworking team who do so much to maintain our city, from trash pickup, traffic engineering, stormwater management, maintenance of sewers and drains, snow and ice removal, food scrap removal and maintenance of the city-owned buildings they have a finger print in so much of our day to day lines
Our Commissioner of Parks, Vin Parise, and his creative team who offer a diverse and comprehensive offering of recreational programs and activities year-round for children, teenagers and adults while also scheduling 10 athletic fields, 6 lighted sports facilities and maintaining over 30 park locations.
Our Executive Director of IT led by Bobby Bongiorni and his innovative team keeping us connected and secure both in an internal and external facing way.
Our Comms team – a mighty team of 2 led by Kathy Gilwit who use creativity and savviness to get the City’s message out across multiple platforms.
The mighty Mayor’s Office – a lean team of 2 – me and my assistant Maria who wears multiple hats all at once in an effort to make sure all that reach the Mayor are connected and responded to!
While the Deputy Mayor has already acknowledged my colleagues on the City Council, I want to take a moment to personally thank Councilmembers Lopez, Tarantino, Peters, Osinloye, Kaye, and Stern. It is truly a privilege to serve alongside each of you. Together, we bring a wealth of perspectives and lived experiences that reflect the very fabric of our community. I know that, as a team, we will continue to craft policies that not only address the challenges before us but also lift up the lives of our friends, neighbors, and families. Thank you for your partnership, your dedication, and for being such extraordinary colleagues.
Please join me in giving them all a hearty round of applause.
These remarkable public servants truly are the heart and soul of our city.
I can tell you—I learn something from so many of you each and every day. And I see, time and time again, how often you are working well after hours and on weekends to make sure things are done not just right, but done with excellence.
We are incredibly grateful for your service. New Rochelle is stronger because of you. And together, we’re not just managing the present. We are crafting the future New Rochelle deserves. It can sometimes feel like we are a city of neighborhoods—North End, South End, up the West, Lincoln Avenue Corridor, live along Pelham, by Beechmont, Larchmont Woods, by Stephenson, live by the high school, by Union Ave, the historic district, RPA, Sycamore Park, Premium Point, Sans Souci, Forest Heights, Wykagyl, by Davenport, by Glen Island, maybe your address says Scarsdale even though you live in New Rochelle these neighborhoods are all threads in one fabric – the fabric of New Rochelle. The revitalization of our downtown is not the story of a single zip code. It’s the heartbeat of a city that is rising—together.
So whether you live steps from Main Street or miles from it, know this: you are part of this moment. You are part of this transformation. And what we build here will ripple out to every block, every school, every park, and every home across New Rochelle.
This is your city. This is our city. And our future is being shaped—together.
Right now, New Rochelle is in an in-between space—a bridge between our past and our future. And I know that can feel uncomfortable. These are the years that test patience. I hear the fatigue. I understand the desire for faster progress.
But what we’re doing here is not ordinary. We set out on an ambitious, transformative plan—unlike anything New Rochelle has seen before. A plan bold enough to stretch us, to challenge us, to call us into something greater.
And through it all—a global pandemic, shifting political landscapes, changing economic winds—we have stayed the course. We are still building. We are still believing. And most importantly, we are still together.
Ambition takes courage. And when you’re writing a playbook that doesn’t already exist, setbacks are part of the process. But even with those bumps in the road, the state of our city is strong. And I firmly believe that New Rochelle’s most vibrant, equitable, and inclusive future is ahead of us.
What a privilege it is to be part of this chapter in our story—to shape it, to witness it, and to know that when the history books are written, we were the ones who dared to believe in what New Rochelle could become.
How lucky are we to call this city home?