White Plains CitizeNetReporter - County Legislature B & A Committee Approves $500G for Main & Mamaroneck Fountain

WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. February 24, 2003: The Westchester County Legislature Budget and Appropriations Committee, listened to Susan Habel, White Plains Commissioner of Planning, and Mayor Joseph Delfino put in a polished professional pitch for county support of the city's plans for a makeover of the Main Street Fountain Plaza this morning, and liked what they heard, voting to approve the request for $500,000 in county aid, and to recommend the monetary support measure to the full County Legislature.

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN: In his first time back on the eighth floor since leaving the county legislature, Mayor Joseph Delfino addressed the County Budget & Appropriations Committee and thanked them for their support for the makeover of the Fountain Plaza. To the left of the Mayor are Legislators Michael Kaplowitz and Ursula Lamotte. Richard Wishnie's office said Monday afternoon that the individual measure approving the $500,000 aid for the Fountain Plaze would be voted on by the full County Board on Monday, March 3, one week from today.
Photo by WPCNR News

Various County Legislators: Michael Kaplowitz, Ursula Lamotte and Martin Rogowsky comented on the project going up one block away from the County Office building.

Kaplowitz asked that perhaps in return for the funding the city might allow the county and citizens' groups to use the Performing Arts Theatre ("synergyzing with the county," were his words) and was assured by Ms. Habel that the city was considering organizations such as the Westchester Arts Council, as well as the needs of other civic groups. Laplowitz also wondered what White Plains was investing in the project. Ms. Habel pointed out the city was investing Parking Authority money, and paying $23 Million for the City Center Garage. Another legislator asked if Mr. Cappelli was paying anything for the theater and was told by Ms. Habel that he was paying $1.1 Million, plus money for the fountain.

Mr. Rogowsky suggested to Mr. Wishnie, Chair of the Committee, that in the future cities and towns, since White Plains will keep most of the sales tax from the City Center, that the city perhaps think about paying back such county monies in the future. Mr. Wishnie said this was a good suggestion.

Lois Bronz asked about affordable housing, and Ms. Habel walked her through Cappelli's agreement to make 6% of his rental units "affordable housing."

Ms. Lamotte inquired about whether the fountain would waste water, in view of draught experienced by the County last year. Ms. Habel assured Ms. Lamotte that the fountain would recycle the water as do all city fountains.

Sal Carrera, head of the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency, made a strong bid for the funding before the vote, saying,

"This (the fountain plaza) is a major asset that we should enhance."

Asked about a timetable and the possibility of delaying this until next year, Habel said it was imperative that the fountain plaza be completed by October, 2003, this fall before the City Center theatres open.


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