WPCNR TABLE 50. By John F. Bailey. November 9, 2004: In the crush of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Gala Cocktail Hour Monday evening, a lot was going on. Everybody was working the angles as White Plains Performing Arts Center was injected with a new transfusion of green blood from White Plains’ Rich and Famous.
IN THE SCHMOOZ ZONE were Louis Cappelli, center, The Super Developer, Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel, (left), and the charismatic Martin Ginsburg (second from right) of Ginsburg Development Corporation exchanging pleasantries. Just three weeks ago, Mr. Ginsburg had complained strongly to the Common Council that they should use eminent domain to take the Corner Nook-Main Street Bookstore-Deli building that Cappelli now owns. Now, Mr. Cappelli reports he has made a deal with Mr. Ginsburg to allow the Pinnacle to proceed. Photo by WPCNR News.
Louis Cappelli told WPCNR when asked if he and Mr. Ginsburg were working on the differences they have over Mr. Ginsburg’s plan for the Pinnacle, and Mr. Cappelli’s concern for his views from Trump Tower at City Center, “There’s a meeting of the minds there somewhere.”
Martin Ginsburg at the Common Council Work Session in October, presenting his Pinnacle Building on Main Street. A 24-Story 148-Unit luxury condominium, priced from $450,000 for a 900-square foot one-bedroom to $2.5 Million for 3,700 square foot penthouses. Photo by WPCNR News.
After the gala was over, the Super Developer provided more details on a possible accommodation with Mr. Ginsburg.
“Here’s the deal:”
Cappelli told WPCNR he liked Mr. Ginsburg’s concept of sidewalk café restaurants across from the entrance of City Center on City Place. Cappelli announced he’s willing to relinquish the Corner Nook-Deli-Main Street Bookstore property (which he owns) to Mr. Ginsburg if Mr. Ginsburg lowers the height of his proposed Pinnacle Condominium-Retal-Plex from 280 feet (24 stories) to 230 feet.
Cappelli said he wants to protect the upper story views from the Trump Tower at City Center which soars 340 feet.
THE PINNACLE, Main Street View. Photo by WPCNR News
Asked if Mr. Ginsburg’s new plans showed a decrease in the height, Cappelli said it was his understanding that the building would be lowered to 23 stories.
Ginsburg Office Has Not Changed Plans on File with Building Department.
Mr. Ginsburg’s office was contacted for comment by WPCNR Tuesday morning, and Bill Madden, President of Madden Communications & Marketing, a spokesperson for Ginsburg Development Corporation returned the call.
Madden said that as of last Monday, GDC had submitted a request to the city to condemn the corner parcel and would have no further comment while the city is reviewing that request. Madden said the plans GDC had submitted to the Building Department were unchanged from when originally submitted.
WPCNR asked Madden if this meant GDC was neither confirming nor denying the deal exits, and Madden said, "right."
A source in the GDC offices originally contacted by WPCNR did confirm the offer exists, saying the height change was from 280 feet down to 230 feet. Asked how the building would change, the source said the building woul take 50 feet off the top (50 feet), and make the building wider.
Wood: City Center Garage rights being arranged to pump up square footage.
Mr. Ginsburg’s request of the Common Council to give him access to portions of the City Center Garage to acquire the square footage he needs to build The Pinnacle project (in addition to the Nook-Deli-Bookstore building) is now being looked on favorably by the city.
Paul Wood, City Executive Officer, told WPCNR Friday that Mr. Ginsburg was advised by the Building Department he had to submit that request to the Urban Renewal Agency, not the Common Council as the appropriate method of aquiring that square footage. He is now going through that process and requesting the square footage from the Urban Renewal Agency.
Mr. Madden, when asked about this new process of going to Urban Renewal and whether it was underway, said he would get back to WPCNR.
