Last week’s budget presentation from our Department of Development included a helpful snapshot of New Rochelle’s historic growth. This slide illustrates the status of projects approved, completed, and under construction, as well as occupancy rates, affordability, and points of origin from which new residents are arriving. Although several more years will be required before the benefits of growth are realized fully (keep in mind that only about a fifth of the anticipated new population is already here), our progress to date has been dramatic and entirely consistent with the City’s hopes and goals.
Watch this great piece from NBC describing the pop-up maker’s market at the New Rochelle train station. A terrific activation of our transit center, a wonderful opportunity for local craftspeople and entrepreneurs, and, of course, a neat place to shop for gifts or treat yourself to something special.
I was greatly honored last night to receive the Leadership Award from the Westchester County Association. My sincere thanks to the WCA for recognizing New Rochelle’s progress over the course of a generation from cautionary tale of economic decline to positive model of sustainable growth. And congratulations to my fellow honorees, Chris Hillyer, Kristen Motel, and Jane Solnick.
On November 1, I will join colleagues from Yonkers, Mount Vernon, White Plains, and Peekskill for a discussion about the challenges and opportunities confronting our cities. Thank you to the Business Council of Westchester for organizing and hosting this conversation. Details and reservations here.
Genuine surprises are pretty rare, and I received one last night at the annual dinner of the Business Council of Westchester. Shortly after the keynote address from Governor Hochul, BCW President/CEO Marsha Gordon called me to podium to receive the Legacy Award for our achievements in New Rochelle. In a startled and hopefully coherent acceptance, I remarked that my personal role in municipal leadership is often merely supporting, and that credit for our progress goes to the team of colleagues who have worked so hard over decades to move our city forward. In the span of a generation, New Rochelle has advanced from a cautionary tale to a positive model, and it is very gratifying to leave public office with a true sense of shared accomplishment. Thank you, Marsha Gordon and the BCW, for recognizing our work and for being such outstanding partners every step of the way.
Two photos spliced together from an upper floor window at 1 Clinton Park. I’m a mediocre photographer at best, so the images don’t quite align, but still: what a view! And this is only one north-facing wedge of a rapidly changing cityscape. It will take more time for all the components of our downtown plan to gel, construction to conclude, and street-level activity to pop, but New Rochelle has made extraordinary progress.
Two photos spliced together from an upper floor window at 1 Clinton Park. I’m a mediocre photographer at best, so the images don’t quite align, but still: what a view! And this is only one north-facing wedge of a rapidly changing cityscape. It will take more time for all the components of our downtown plan to gel, construction to conclude, and street-level activity to pop, but New Rochelle has made extraordinary progress.