WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. May 3, 2005: The White Plains Common Council approved the construction of two 40-story towers and hotel complex at 221 Main Street last night, as requested by Super Developer Louis Cappelli. The vote was 6 to 1 with Council President Tom Roach the lone dissenting vote.

The Cappelli  40-Story Plus Hotel Condoplex Model, as soon on television, April 21. Design has not been settled upon yet according to Councilman Benjamin Boykin at Monday evening's approval vote. No hotel operator has been named for the site as yet, but Cappelli is said to be negotiating with a major luxury hotel organization. Video Capture April 21 by WPCNR News.

Model of Complex In Relation to The City Center. 221 Main Cappelli Hotel Condoplex is at right. City Center at left. The view is looking South. Video Capture Made April 21 by WPCNR News.

Cappelli Receives Approval for 8-Story Affordable Housing Complex on City Place (240 Main Street) The building is shown in context with Martin Ginsburg's Pinnacle Building. The 8-story ediface, described by Ken Worden who spoke at the public hearing as "absolutely wrong," and akin to "placing a mica rock" among crown jewels, and "nothing more than a Bronx apartment house of small apartments with no amenities," appears above and to the left of the date in the picture of the model shown April 21 to the Common Council. Councilman Arnold Bernstein, a Bronx native, defended the architectural integrity of Bronx apartment houses as quite spacious.  Video Capture by WPCNR News.

In a separate vote, the Council voted 6-1, again with Mr. Roach demurring, to opt for an 8-story affordable housing building to be built at 240 Main Street on the edge of the City Place entry drive on the site of the Corner Nook, Main Street Bookstore and delicatessen. Robert Greer, Arnold Bernstein, and Larry Delgado held open the possibility that Mr. Cappelli could build the affordable housing elsewhere in the city other than the 240 Main site by working with another developer (perhaps Martin Ginsburg who proposes The Pinnacle project next door to 240 Main Street).

Mrs. Malmud also said that City Corporation Counsel, Edward Dunphy had personally assured her that there was no legal obstacle that could prevent Mr. Cappelli from building on the 240 Main site.

The vote clears the way for Mr. Cappelli to close on his financing for the project this week.

Hearings on The Hamilton Condominium on Church Street at Barker and the Twin condominiums proposed for Hale Avenue adjacent to Fortunoff on Maple Avenue were adjourned to June 6.

Budget draws small crowd. Bashed by League of Women Voters.

The public hearing on the 2005-2006 budget was noteworthy in the fact that the League of Women Voters opposed the budget, advising the city not to sell public land to pay for operating expenses, and advised against using fund balance to fill budget gaps. The League in a statement also pointed out the deficit the city has been running since 2002, and urged them to balance the budget between operating and revenues. Ted Peluso, a consultant for the city, said the fund balance is never really used that it is paid back each year.