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Promises more "Active" BID in 2001 as downtown picks up. Only 4 properties not leased. "Rhapsody" to replace Ashley's.

By John F. Bailey

CityLine: January 9, 2001, City Hall

The White Plains Business Development Corporation Board of Directors has unanimously voted Harold Vogt, who has headed the County Chamber of Commerce, its new Chairman at its regular monthly meeting Monday, replacing Chairman Leon Silverman, who will continue to serve on the Board.

Mark Scuyler, Executive Director of BID, told WPCNR Tuesday that it was the collective feeling of the Board of Directors that "We've gone through the development stages (of BID) being task-driven. Now BID needs to move into actual relationship-driven outreach, and having the need for someone who knows the territory. Mr. Vogt was available. He has very good relationships with the business community and the city."

Reached at his Chamber of Commerce office by WPCNR, Vogt said, "I've been Vice Chairman of the BID for the last three years. Now, I have time available to contribute. I think the BID is in a stage of development to move to a new phase other than fairs and programs. We'll be starting with a "clean streets effort," the Mayor proposed and I'll be meeting with the Mayor to coordinate more efforts."

Vogt told WPCNR he was very supportive of the Mayor's Downtown Revitalization Plan Phase II: "I think it's a great concept. We need to be very aggressive.and that "we'd be looking to work with the city" to make it happen. Asked if he had any "players" to bring to the Tishman-Speyer Town Center, Chairman-Elect Vogt said "not at this time."

Vogt said he was looking forward to working with the Mayor on potential development, working with both present businesses in the downtown and balancing design and potential businesses that could be brought in.

"I'm looking at some programs similar to when White Plains evolved in the 1970s, to be creative in our thinking," he said.

Asked if Vogt could bring more players to the table, Executive Director Scuyler readily agreed. He also said that Leon Silverman who has lead BID through its first three years, "owns a lot of properties which were keeping him busy elsewhere," and was in agreement with the Board vote to move up Mr. Vogt. Silverman, according to Scuyler, will continue to serve on the BID board.

"We want the White Plains Downtown to be poised for whatever comes our way," Scuyler said. Asked the new directions BID was going to take, Scuyler reported BID was going to "help educate people (business owners already located downtown, or considering downtown relocation), and help them get better at what they do and improve their businesses."

This new direction is already under way Scuyler said, especially in the area of "credit repair." He said BID was now negotiating with several banking organizations to seek out the best sources of financing and to make arrangements to furnish "credit repair" and financing advice. He hopes this hands-on therapeutic aid could be furnished for in-place businesses to aid in expansion or upgrade of their sites, as well as working with businesses considering the heart of White Plains.

Scuyler said the BID is happy to report that only 4 premises are still vacant in the BID downtown district. He remarked that the BID hopes to continue quietly working with prospective businesses as they have with the restaurant, "Rhapsody," and its owner Sam Schwartz.

Rhapsody, a California-based chain of restaurants, has renovated the former "Ashley's" restaurant and plans to open for business in about two months, Schuyler said. Mr. Scuyler assures that the BID is always there to work with entrepreneurs from outside the area to "keep them up to speed on the city's regulations and requirements."

A longtime observer of White Plains felt Vogt was an excellent choice who brings a lot of new expertise and contacts to the city. "He's very good at working with smaller and midsize businesses. He has an understanding of their needs, as well as the giant developers. That's what you have to have work with the downtown. He knows 'the little guy's' needs."

BID may be reached at (914) 328-5166.

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