Empire City Casino lit in orange in deference to www.HungerActionMonth.org – Photo by and courtesy of Sean Hamrock.

Read the report: GAMING.NY.GOV:PDF:121714.GFLBSelection

George Latimer, incumbent NYS Senator (D-W) represents the 37th Senate District.

YONKERS, NY — December 17, 2014 — State Senator George Latimer, D-Rye said, “I commend the New York Gaming Commission for holding fast to utilizing the casinos approved by voters to revive the economy of Upstate communities that have atrophied economically over the last several decades. Today’s decision, will protect the investment of currently running racinos in the Hudson Valley including the Empire City Racino in Yonkers. Empire has been a tremendous asset to the Yonkers economy and I look forward to working with them to continue our combined efforts to revitalize this great City.”

Assemblymember Shelley Mayer represents the New York State Assembly’s 90th District which covers most of Yonkers.

Assemblymember Shelley Mayer said, “I am pleased the Gaming Facility Location Board heard our voices and did not authorize a full scale gaming casino in Orange County and instead selected one for Sullivan County, as we had urged.  This decision respects the underlying intent of the legislation we passed which was to support struggling upstate communities without damaging the economic power of Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway.  I applaud the Board’s careful examination of the facts and wise recommendations.  They will help Yonkers, Westchester County and the downstate region continue to prosper, while expanding gaming to New York’s struggling upstate counties.”

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Yonkers Mayor and Yonkers Industrial Development Agency Board Chairman Mike Spano

Westchester County Legislator (16th District) and Yonkers Industrial Development Agency President Ken Jenkins.

YONKERS, NY — December 15, 2014 — The Westchester Center for Independent and Assisted Living, an assisted living facility that opened with help from the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency (YIDA) in 2012, will nearly double in size according to a plan to be given initial approval tomorrow by the YIDA.

“There’s nothing like repeating a success story,” said Mayor Mike Spano, who chairs the YIDA. “The Westchester Center for Independent and Assisted Living provides an affordable home for so many senior citizens, yet there is still demand for more. We are glad to help it meet that demand.”

The Westchester Center currently has a 195 unit assisted living center at 75 Stratton Street South, which formerly housed the Jewish Guild for the Blind. It was Westchester’s first “upscale but affordable” assisted living facility, offering a full range of amenities, yet also staying within the cost parameters of persons who qualify for Medicaid.

Now the Westchester Center is proposing to create an additional 158 units of affordable assisted living housing adjacent to the existing facility, providing space for an estimated 200 individuals. The new facility will be known as The Plaza at Westchester, and will be constructed by demolishing a currently empty building on the property.

The estimated construction cost is $24 million, with a completion target date of the first quarter of 2016. The new facility would create 110 full time equivalent jobs.

The YIDA is proposing to provide a $1,005,000.00 exemption in sales taxes for materials used in construction, a $388,800 mortgage tax exemption, and a temporary property tax abatement.

The project must go through the City’s planning and land use process after the approval.

The Westchester Center was conceived under the State’s Assisted Living Program, which is designed to provide an alternative to more costly nursing homes. In an assisted living facility, residents live in independent units, but are able to have meals, housekeeping, and other services provided by the facility.

“Typical assisted living facilities are often too expensive for the average person, and will not accept Medicaid,” said YIDA President Ken Jenkins, “This is a successful model that saves taxpayer dollars while providing a tip notch environment for the residents, including those who rely on Medicaid for their care.”

SOURCE: Communications Director Christina Gilmartin for Yonkers Mayor and YIDA Chairman Mike Spano.

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188 Warburton Avenue mixed-income housing development project rendering.

YONKERS, NY — December 15, 2014 — The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB) a leading nonprofit developer of mixed-income housing and the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers (MHACY) joined with public officials and community members to break ground on 188 Warburton, phase II of the redevelopment of the Cottage Place Gardens housing complex.

Shovel at the ready to inaugurate the 188 Warburton ground breaking of Monday, December 15, 2014.

“Today’s groundbreaking points to the positive momentum occurring right now in Yonkers as we revitalize our neighborhoods and improve the lives of the residents who live here,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “We are building a stronger, a more sustainable community for residents, thanks to the support of our federal, state, private and our local community partners for their commitment to Yonkers and look forward to the great improvements that will be made to this very deserving neighborhood.”

The $27 million development will create 51 affordable rental apartments, and is expected to generate 100 construction jobs. Located at 188 Warburton Ave., the new 62,000-square foot, LEED-certified development will replace two distressed buildings as part of a broader effort to revitalize Southwest Yonkers.

Mayor Spano and NYS Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow at 188 Warburton groundbreaking of Monday, December 15, 2014.

“We are proud to deepen our commitment to the city of Yonkers with the transformation of 188 Warburton into modern, energy efficient, workforce housing,” said Bart Mitchell, president and CEO of The Community Builders, Inc. “The 188 Warburton development will be platform for opportunity for residents as well as a driver of revitalization for the neighborhood.”

The building will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with affordable rents for families and will offer 79 parking spaces. Other amenities include a community room, in-unit dishwashers, a play area, and on-site laundry.

Significant funding for 188 Warburton came from Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) which provides incentives for the use of private equity in affordable housing developments.  Other financing was provided by the New York State Housing Finance Agency, City of Yonkers, HUD, MHACY, and TCB.

“The authority is pleased to be able to be working with the City of Yonkers, and our State, Federal and private partners to continue the effort to redevelop the Ashburton Corridor. With this project, we have 227 new units of housing and $ 100 million in construction,” said Joe Shuldiner, executive director for the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers.

The modern, energy-efficient 188 Warburton development is the second phase of a six phase initiative aimed at redeveloping the Cottage Place Gardens public housing complex and revitalizing Southwest Yonkers. Phase I, the $63 million Schoolhouse Terrace development on Ashburton Ave., broke ground in 2013 and will be completed by April 2015.  188 Warburton is designed to meet LEED accreditation and is enrolled in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Multifamily Performance Program, which requires a minimum energy savings of 15% over ASHRAE. The third phase of this development effort will create homes for 72 Yonkers families.

Yonkers City Council Member Christopher Johnson (District 1-D) added: “This groundbreaking represents the collaborative efforts of the public and private sectors and is an especially impressive partnership which will benefit the residents of the district I proudly represent.  I commend the efforts of all who have contributed in the redevelopment of this community that will strengthen the fabric of the neighborhood and I applaud all who were instrumental in making this project possible.  I am honored to be a part of the solution to the shortage of affordable housing units and local hiring opportunities in the district and the city at large. I hope that as we work to change the face of our great city we will continue to work collectively with community partners to meet community needs. ”

“HUD launched Choice Neighborhoods in recognition that it isn’t enough to just replace public housing with new housing; we have to transform distressed neighborhoods into inclusive communities that connect people to opportunity,” said Holly Leicht, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “Aided in part by a combined $2.5 million from Choice, HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and HUD HOME funds, that transformation is underway in Croton Heights. Warburton Avenue is the spine of a comprehensive vision for the revitalization of this neighborhood, and today, we mark the beginning of its next phase, thanks to the ongoing commitment of Yonkers’ leadership.

About The Community Builders, Inc.
The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB) is one of America’s leading nonprofit real estate developers and owners. Their mission is to build and sustain strong communities where people of all incomes can achieve their full potential. They realize their mission by developing, financing and operating high-quality housing and implementing neighborhood self-help initiatives to drive economic opportunity for their residents. Since 1964, they have constructed or preserved over 320 affordable and mixed-income housing developments and secured over $2.5 billion in project financing from public and private sources. Today, they own or manage more than 10,000 apartments in 14 states and Washington, D.C. They are headquartered in Boston with regional hubs in Chicago and Washington.

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Sandy Galef, New York State Assemblywoman representing to the 95th A.D.

Top Performer Status Confers $82.2 Million to the Region, Funding Many Projects In and Supporting the 95th Assembly District

OSSINING, NY — December 13, 2014 — Assemblywoman Sandy Galef attended New York State‘s Regional Economic Development Council Awards in the state Capitol on Thursday, December 11, 2014, and was so pleased to join the Mid-Hudson Region to celebrate their success in this year’s funding awards. “These projects will help continue the momentum on boosting this region’s economic development through job creation, supporting some excellent tourism projects, the arts, health care, education and the environment.  The public-private and public-public partnerships will bolster our economic output and help draw people to the region to live, work and play,” said Assemblywoman Sandy Galef. Here are some of the projects in her assembly district that were awarded state dollars.

Historic Hudson River Towns Sing Sing Historic Prison Museum- $250,000: For feasibility/planning study for the development of a museum at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in the former power house and gain access to the 1825 Cell Block.

Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art Peekskill Project VI – $45,700: Through the Peekskill Project, Hudson Valley Center for the Contemporary Arts (HVCCA) hosts more than 30 separate events during the year and at least 40 education programs occur. More than 4,000 students participated in educational programs during last year’s Peekskill Project V. The Project’s expected outcome is well over 30,000 new visitors, with participation of artists from many countries, and further growth of Peekskill as a major art town.

Historic Hudson Valley Lightscapes Artist Project – $58,200: Area artists will be invited to submit a proposal for a sculpture to be integrated into Croton’s Van Cortlandt Manor’s Lightscapes installation. The project is intended to drive public participation, tourism, and cultural vitality in the Mid-Hudson Region.

Westchester Green Business Challenge – $540,000: The Green Business Challenge will encourage businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, waste production, water use, transportation, and land use through tools and activities which include an interactive website, live educational and networking events, live training webinars, and direct personal assistance from staff. Expected outcomes are 125 new registered companies to the Challenge and 140 new members certified within three years.

Copland House – $49,500: Copland House will expand their educational offerings and partnerships by hiring a part-time Manager of Education and Community Outreach to oversee, expand and implement in-school and onsite educational activities and relationships with local and regional school districts, as well as civic, business, cultural, and community organizations.

Multi-County Land Use Law Center at Pace Law School – $250,000: The Municipal Sustainability Training Technical Assistance Project will facilitate sustainable neighborhood development through practice-based training and technical assistance in rural, suburban, and urban municipalities throughout the Mid-Hudson Region. The project will result in several training and technical assistance workshops as well as 28 sustainable neighborhood development implementation plans that include recommendations for specific amendments to comprehensive plans and land use regulations to eliminate barriers to sustainable neighborhood development.

Green Chimneys School Expansion – $750,000: This grant will support the renovation of two existing vacant buildings to add seven new classrooms to serve special needs and preschool children with high quality early education and specialized and intensive therapeutic education.

Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail – $935,000: This grant supports creation of a nine-mile, off-road route that will connect the train stations and downtowns in Cold Spring, and Beacon, allowing safer access to popular hiking trails along the route. Partners in this project include Scenic Hudson, Hudson Highlands Land Trust, Putnam and Dutchess counties, the four municipalities through which the trail will run, Metro-North Railroad, and several state agencies.

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival – $71,600: Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s Education and Outreach Department will provide innovative hands-on arts education programs and outreach initiatives, increasing access to and participation in the arts throughout the lower Hudson Valley.

Programs include in-school performances, workshops and residencies; Shakespeare Summer Camp; Acting Apprenticeships, Technical Theater and Arts Internships; Shakespeare Institute & Resource Workshops.

Manitoga Inc. – $16,700: Manitoga, the modernist home, studio and landscape of 20th century designer Russel Wright in Garrison, will receive support for a series of intricate large-scale sculptures by structural artist Stephen Talasnik at Manitoga. The installation is part of a new initiative that annually interprets Manitoga through bold artistic statements.

Hudson Valley Opportunity Fund – $1,000,000: Creation of a revolving loan fund by Community Capital, the SBA certified micro-lender for the Hudson Valley.

Greater Hudson Heritage Network – $49,500: Greater Hudson Heritage Network will expand the Program Coordinator position to address the increased request for assistance from the field resulting from the organization’s broadened constituent base.

Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress – Regional Infrastructure Planning – $60,000: Survey of all municipalities in the Mid-Hudson Region (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Westchester) to assess capacity and barriers to appropriate infrastructure investment in the Region with a case study approach for the Opportunity Area

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef represents the communities within the 95^th Assembly District. The District Office is located at 2 Church Street, Ossining, NY 10562. Office Tel.: 914-941-1111.

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State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-I-WF) of Yonkers was elected by her colleagues to serve as Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference in December 2012, becoming the first female leader of a legislative conference in New York State history and was re-elected as Leader in 2014. Stewart-Cousins was first elected to the State Senate in 2006 and represents Greenburgh and Scarsdale, and part of Yonkers, White Plains, and New Rochelle in the 35th State Senate District.

New York State Senate seal.

YONKERS, NY – December 12, 2014 — State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate Democratic Conference Leader, is pleased to announce that major funding for several key projects in the 35th District are part of the grant awards announced Thursday through the Regional Economic Development Councils. The Saw Mill River Daylighting, Phase III in downtown Yonkers, a major art exhibition in White Plains, and a pedestrian/cycle bridge over Andre Brook in Tarrytown are among the numerous projects receiving state economic development dollars in the Mid-Hudson Region. This seven county region that includes Westchester is considered a “Top Performer,” and will receive $82.8 million this year.

“I’m thrilled that key projects I supported in my district will be getting the state economic development assistance they requested in this highly-competitive grant process,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins, the Senate Democratic Conference Leader. “The Regional Economic Development Council’s are making important, locally-targeted investments worth millions of dollars. As a result, we are creating jobs, supporting businesses, expanding housing opportunities and laying the groundwork for sustained economic growth throughout our region and our state.”

2014 REDC Grants: • Saw Mill River Daylighting Phase 3 in Yonkers ◦ $2.5 million to continue this project downtown, focusing on a river-themed park along New Main Street, from Ann St. to Nepperhan Avenue

• Ashburton Avenue Rehabilitation in Yonkers ◦ $1.5 million to revitalize this area and roadway to improve travel flow into and out of downtown Yonkers

• Hudson River Museum in Yonkers • $630,000 total, to expand exhibit space in the West Wing and to attract more visitors to the museum and the city

• SoYo Exalta, LLC in Yonkers ◦ $1 million to construct approximately 400 rental units, parking and retail near the newly daylighted Saw Mill River in downtown Yonkers

• The City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Board of Education ◦ $400,000 to consolidate the five business and non-academic functions of the city and the school district

• The Village of Tarrytown ◦ $47,300 to install a wider pedestrian/bicycle bridge over Andre Brook, to allow greater access to Pierson Park and the Riverwalk

• The Westchester Arts Council Inc. Festival of New Work in White Plains ◦ $76,000 for a major new exhibition in 2015 to highlight work by Westchester artists with roots in China, Nigeria, Iran and other countries • Shop-Rite Supermarkets ◦ $100,000 to train 120 workers for food safety, customer service and management

• Jawanio Inc. (which serves Westchester, Rockland and Putnam) ◦ $2.5 million to expand Jawanio’s New City campus for an integrated health, wellness and work project ◦ $86,400 for health and wellness training to train 240 workers in understanding the spectrum of disabilities and the services required by these individuals

• Excelsior Jobs Credits ◦ $3 million available in tax credits for the Mid-Hudson Region, reserved for future projects

• Low-Cost Economic Development Financing ◦ $35 million to be made available to state and local government issuers to sell tax-exempt bonds for economic development, infrastructure and community revitalization efforts.

This year, Senator Stewart-Cousins voted for a $150 million increase in the 2014 State Budget for Regional Economic Development Council grants. The total funding allocation approved was $750 million. The Regional Economic Development Councils were created in 2011 by Governor Cuomo. This was the fourth annual Regional Economic Development Council Awards. In the past three years, the Mid-Hudson Region received $219.4 million for 232 projects across the seven county region which includes Westchester. This year’s grant award announcement brings the total to just over $300 million.

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Yonkers Tree llghting Concert – Tuesday, December 2nd, from 4 – 6 p.m., at 1 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701.

YONKERS, NY — November 26, 2014 — The Annual Yonkers Tree Lighting in historic Getty Square is one of the most majestic, traditional events in the City of Yonkers. For over 100 years, Getty Square has been the center of commerce, transportation and celebrations for the entire Hudson Valley Region. During the holiday season, hundreds of residents and visitors flock to Getty Square to witness a classic tree lighting. Afterwards, the crowd is treated to live holiday music and entertainment, highlighted by 2014 Yonkers Idol winners Tiffany Kam and Amara Barlow Valerio. There will also be amazing professional performances, including the iconic voice of Carolyn Hardings. Visits from Santa Claus, free hot chocolate, lights, games, and a wonderful community all come together to unite our city during this time of celebration.

On Tuesday, December 2nd, join Mayor Mike Spano, Council President Liam McLaughlin, and other public officials and community leaders to celebrate this event. The Yonkers Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) will also recognize a local business that has given back to the community in exceptional ways.

The Yonkers Annual Tree Lighting is produced by the Yonkers Downtown BID, in conjunction with the office of Mayor Mike Spano, the Yonkers Department of Parks, Recreations, and Conversation, and Yonkers City Council. We received donations from local businesses including Beyond Costumes, The Wedge Sandwich Shop, and C.H. Martin Department Store.

We hope that everyone, young and old, can join the City of Yonkers as we light our holiday tree and celebrate our city. Visit https://yonkersdowntown.com/tree-lighting/ for pictures, programs, and more.

Event Details
Address: Getty Square, Yonkers, NY (1 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701)
Date: December 2nd, 2014
Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Phone: 914-966-9669
www.YonkersDowntown.com

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Ridge Hill Shopping Center Mall.

YONKERS, NY – November 21, 2014 — Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC), owner and developer of Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, New York, today announced that The Container Store will occupy 25,000 sq. ft. on Market Street across from The Whole Foods Market Yonkers.

FCRC also announced that Muse Paintbar and Bark N’ Bones have signed leases at Ridge Hill. These new tenants, in addition to other lease agreements that the company recently announced, will add approximately 50,000 sq. ft. to the retail, dining and entertainment mix at the popular center.

The Container Store will open during the summer of 2015.

Ridge Hill Shopping Center is located at One Ridge Hll Blvd., Yonkers, NY; between I87 and the Sprain Brook Pkwy.

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Jason M. Gold, Associate Vice President of Ariel Property Advisors.

Ariel Property Advisors

NEW YORK, NY– November 20, 2014 — Ariel Property Advisors has announced the sale of a seven-story office building in Mount Vernon, NY.  The firm also has been retained as the exclusive agent to market a 84,000-square-foot commercial property in Mount Vernon, Yonkers, and additional properties in Westchester County.

Ariel Property Advisors sold the 25,150-square-foot office building at 100 Stevens Avenue in Mount Vernon for $1.5 million. The property includes 13 office units and four ground level retail units. Exclusive agents Jason M. Gold, Scot Hirschfield, and Victor Sozio represented the seller and procured the buyer, both private investors.

100 Stevens Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY.

“The new owner of 100 Stevens Avenue plans to extensively renovate and reposition that asset to attract new medical and professional office tenants,” said Jason M. Gold, Associate Vice President of Ariel Property Advisors. “As a prime corner building in a central location, such a repositioning should greatly enhance the neighboring properties.”

Mr. Gold said he and other exclusive agents, Michael A. Tortorici, Scot Hirschfield, and Marko Agbaba, also are marketing the 84,000-square-foot, 24-unit flex office/industrial commercial property  at 256 Washington Street along with two other free standing buildings on 1.59 acres in Mount Vernon’s Loft District for $8 million.

“The gut renovated brick building at 256 Washington Street features high-end flex office/industrial space with ample natural light and high ceilings, several spaces for workshops, as well as a 60-car parking lot and 25 additional parking spots in front of the building,” Mr. Gold said. “This package presents an excellent investment opportunity for an owner-user.”

256 Washington Street, Mount Vernon, NY.

In addition, Mr. Gold said Ariel Property Advisors has been retained to sell the following Westchester properties:

• Mount Vernon. A fully occupied, two-story, 20,000-square-foot elevatored commercial building at 6 North 3^rd Avenue, also known as 10 East Prospect Avenue, features seven commercial units, six street level tenants, and a Catering Hall on the 2nd Floor. Exclusive agents Jason M. Gold, Scot Hirschfield, and Marko Agbaba are marketing the property, which has an asking price of $3.95 million.
• Mount Vernon. A 5,100-square-foot, three-story office building at 14 East 1^st Street consists of three full floor commercial units. The ground floor tenant is rented to a franchise of the Farmers Insurance Agency and the remaining two floors are currently vacant. Exclusive agents Jason M. Gold, Michael A.  Tortorici, Scot Hirschfield, and Marko Agbaba are marketing the property, which has an asking price of $850,000.
• Mount Vernon. A two-story, 10,000-square-foot retail building at 122 South 4th Avenue is being marketed by exclusive agents Jason M. Gold, Michael A. Tortorici, Scot Hirschfield, and Marko Agbaba. The asking price is $700,000. The property currently has one retail tenant.
• Yonkers. A commercial building, formerly the Saw Mill Diner, with a parking lot offers 14,928 buildable square feet at 330 & 337 Saw Mill River Road. Exclusive agents Jason M. Gold, Michael A. Tortorici, Scot Hirschfield, and Marko Agbaba are marketing the property, which has an asking price of $1 million.

All properties are located steps from the Metro North Train Station, which offers easy access to Manhattan and the outer boroughs.

More information is available from the exclusive agents at 212-544-9500: Jason M. Gold, ext. 22; jgold@arielpa.com; Michael A. Tortorici, ext. 13, mtortorici@arielpa.com; Scot Hirschfield, ext. 16, shirschfield@arielpa.com; or Marko Agbaba, ext. 32, magbaba@arielpa.com.

Ariel Property Advisors is a New York City investment property sales firm with an expertise in the multifamily and development market. The firm also produces a number of research reports including the New York City Multifamily Month in Review, Multifamily Quarter in Review, Multifamily Year in Review, and Mid-Year and Year-End sales reports for the Bronx, Brooklyn, Northern Manhattan, Manhattan, and Queens. For more information see arielpa.com.

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(L-R): Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, center, with State Assemblymember Shelley Mayer, right, join City officials for New Main Street demolition.

YONKERS, NY — November 18, 2014 — Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today was joined by City and New York State officials as he dropped a wrecking ball to demolish several vacant properties in downtown Yonkers for Phase III of the award-winning Saw Mill River Daylighting project at New Main Street. The demolition will revitalize more portions of the long-buried river, including improving river banks and installing plantings to create a 1.25 acre open, green public space and a gateway to the downtown Yonkers shopping district.

“The daylighting of the Saw Mill River has provided a tremendous boost to Yonkers’ economy, helping to spur economic development, create jobs and bring new businesses to our downtown,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “With the continuation of the daylighting at New Main Street, we are providing an open urban civic space that provides residents and visitors greater access to our downtown area and revitalizing city.”

The soon-to-be public space is located on New Main Street between Nepperhan Avenue and Ann Street. The demolition will expose the currently inaccessible Saw Mill River which is blocked off by large fencing and invasive plant life. Plans for the space will provide for perimeter pedestrian walkways as well as improved river water quality, improved marine habitat and enhanced water/sewer performance.

Mayor Spano continued, “Governor Cuomo along with our state delegation have been instrumental to the success of not only the daylighting project, but Yonkers as a whole. With an improving economy, new businesses moving into the city, and a growth rate that ranks Yonkers as the second fastest growing city in the state, we are truly a city on the move. I want to thank them for their continued commitment and investment in Yonkers.”

Yonkers Master Economic Development Plan

State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Democratic Conference Leader, has supported the project from the start in 2007.  “The Saw Mill River Daylighting Project is designed to serve as a catalyst for new opportunities, sparking renewed interest and investment in downtown Yonkers. I was happy to lend my support to the city’s efforts to secure highly-competitive state grants through the Regional Economic Development Council to make this ongoing project possible,” she stated.

State Assemblymember Shelley Mayer commented, “Today marks another exciting moment in the rebirth of downtown Yonkers. I am proud that New York State has made a wise investment in the expanded daylighting of the Saw Mill River, and with my colleagues in the legislature, we have appropriated funds for this project.  I look forward to the successful completion of this work, and an even more dynamic future for our City. ”

The Daylighting of the Saw Mill River is a multi-phase project which includes a new urban river and parks through the center of downtown Yonkers. The project is funded by grants from New York State Empire State Development, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation and the City of Yonkers.

Phase One of the Saw Mill River Daylighting, known as Van der Donck Park, has earned national, statewide and regional recognition, including the “National Recognition Award” by the American Council of Engineering Companies, “Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award” by the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, “Project of the Year” by the Westchester/Putnam Chapter of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, “Project of the Year” by the Construction Management Association of America, “William White Award” by the American Planning Association, and the “New York Honor Award” by the American Society of Landscape Architecture.

Phase Two of the Project, which broke ground in March 2014, will create a new 20,000 square foot park. Known as Mill Street Courtyard, the park will uncover 100 feet of the river and transform an alleyway into a European style piazza. The park will also include a pedestrian and vehicular bridge, bike path, public artwork from local artists and a new pedestrian gateway that will provide seamless access to and from Van der Donck Park. The City’s daylighting projects at the Mill Street Courtyard and New Main Street allow for the continued installation of public artwork which has brought notice to Yonkers as a new arts/culture center.

Related articles

• Yonkers’ Saw Mill River Daylighting Project Phase Iii Wins $2 Million Competitive NYS DEC Grant

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