WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. October 30, 2004, UPDATED 11:30 P.M. E.D.T. With Pictures, text: Developer Martin Ginsburg’s  24 story, 148 unit, retail and restaurant complex, he has dubbled “The Pinnacle,” that he envisions as being White Plains “Chrysler Tower,” has run into an impasse. The city Commissioner of Building has rejected Mr. Ginsburg's plan as being incomplete.

Martin Ginsburg, of Ginsburg Development Company, pensive as he listens to his attorney outline plans for The Pinnacle, October 20 at the Common Council Work Session. Photo by WPCNR News.

The  project as outlined by the developer to the Common Council in Work Session October 20, 2004, has been judged to be “incomplete” by the City Commissioner of Building, Michael Gismondi.  A letter from Mr. Gismondi to Mr. Ginsburg’s attorney, dated October 28, and included as a communication with the Common Council agenda for Monday evening, declares “it is eminently clear that at this time, the developer does not control the required development area to develop the subject site and construct the project as present configured…” Gismondi writes he has “hereby rejected the project at the present time.”

Ginsburg Addressing the Common Council. Photo by WPCNR News.

Ginsburg had asked the Common Council to acquire the Corner Nook, bookstore, and delicatesson building now owned by Louis Cappelli, by using the power of eminent domain and to turn the building over to Ginsburg to give him enough square footage and City Place frontage to complete his Pinnacle project. Building Commissioner Gismondi writes, “in the existing Urban Renewal Plan, this corner property is described as property not to be acquired.”

ACTIVATING CITY PLACE. Mr. Ginsburg criticised the City Place street court, now used for driver access to the City Center Garage only, as not making the best use and not being active enough. He said his Pinnacle development, by building a restaurant and sidewalk cafe across from the entrance of City Center would provide the ambience Ginsburg feels the square needs. He asked the Council to appropriate square footage of the City Center Garage and to acquire the Corner Nook, Main Street Bookstore and Delecatessen by eminent domain from Louis Cappelli, in order that Mr. Ginsburg could develop the Pinnacle and liven up the square with restaurants, and three stories of retail. This is the view from the entrance to City Center on City Place, looking at the proposed Pinnacle complex. Photo by WPCNR News.

Ginsburg also requested the city turn over 28,647 square feet of the City Center garage to make up the 100,000 square feet Ginsberg needs to build The Pinnacle.

Gismondi writes  that “even if the city were inclined to enter into such an arrangement with the developer, (no opinion is expressed or can be implied concerning the merits of the previously noted request simply by reference to this outstanding subject), the development site area still does not meet the threshold of one hundred thousand square feet.”

In effect, Gismondi’s analysis indicates the city at present is not inclined to help Mr. Ginsberg out by entertaining turning over 28,647 square feet of City Center Garage area and eminent domaining the Nook, bookstore and deli property.

Ironically, about one year ago,  the Planning Department of the city and its Planning Board had suggested the Common Council use Eminent Domain to acquire the Bar Building for Mr. Cappelli, to facilitate Mr. Cappelli’s building his 221 Main Street condo-hotel development (approved last June).  The Planning Board felt strongly the building was of no historical significance. Anthony Longhitano and Frank Longhitano, refused to sell the building, sought and acquired designation as a historical landmark, and have since leased the first floor floor of the Bar Building to Mr. Cappelli.

Ginsberg had indicated after the work session October 20 that he has reached an impasse with Mr. Cappelli on the Nook property.Ginsberg also told WPCNR at an impromptu conversation with the media after that work session in response to WPCNR’s question of whether he would sell the 65,416 square feet of the development site he owns to Mr. Cappelli, or would enter into a partnership with Mr. Cappelli on it that “he was in the business to build and develop. We’ve put a lot into this.”

THE PINNACLE AS SEEN from Main Street. Ginsburg described the building as being 24-stories, offering a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom condominium homes, ranging in price from $450,000 for a 900-square foot one-bedroom to $2.5 Million for the 3,700-square foot penthouses. Ginsburg is quoted in a news release on the project observing, "City Place should be activated with a presene on Main Street other than driveways and exit ramps. The city clearly has an interest in a high quality development along Main Street and in activating City Place as we have proposed." Mr. Cappelli and Mr. Ginsburg are presently not negotiating on the controversial Nook-bookstore-deli property. Photo by WPCNR News.