The Sidewalks of White Plains

Boomtown!

Bank Street Commons, Department of Public Works Garage pilings, Macy's demolition beginning within the week.

Downtown facelift featuring new black vaulted streetlights, new city benches, trash receptacles begins at Martine Avenue.

Common Council Work Session Wednesday to cover more of the Cappelli Pilot program and to articulate Beyer Blinder Belle study guidelines.

Special to WPCNR

By John Bailey

CityLine: July 6, 2001 -- City Hall

City Hall issued a series of updates today on the summer construction schedule long awaited by city residents that will turn White Plains into a boomtown in a matter of days.

The Department of Public Works garage being constructed by Bianco & Pepe at Brockway Place is making progress. Steel pilings are to be delivered by the second or third week of July and piling holes are now being dug. According to Department of Public Works Commissioner, Bud Nicoletti, work had been suspended temporarily on the site due to heavy rains this last week which had caused piling holes to cave in and fill with water. Nicoletti reported to the Mayor's office that Bianco & Pepe expects to be pouring concrete within the week.

Bank Street Commons, the $120 million hotel and luxury apartment complex planned for the former railroad station site will begin construction reconfiguring Bank Street Monday, July 9, according to the Mayor's office. Reports are that financing is in order and the project is beginning Monday with the widening of Bank Street.

The City Center, the $300 million project now under scrutiny by the White Plains Common Council, will officially move forward with an official Demolition of Macy's scheduled to take place July 17. The Mayor, Louis Cappelli, and other city dignitaries will participate in the official Macy's demise, but actually ceremonies have not been firmed up yet. Currently, according to the Mayor's Press Office, internal demolition is taking place on the site, and roof asbestos abatement continues. Construction of sidewalk "bridges" will begin within the week, and will be prelude to the dramatic "demolition day."

Meanwhile, new taller, brighter, midnight-black Victorian style lampposts have arrived and the city has begun to install them in a $1.9 million streetscape facelift. Replacement of the lights is the first step in the facelift approved by the Common Council. Light installation is proceeding with installation of the new electrical bases, which will be followed by installation of the dramatic new look. The lampposts will then be followed by placement of new longer benches with backs, and sophisticated refuse receptacles. Installation of the new electric streetlight bases began along Martine Avenue this week.

This week, the Common Council will meet in a work session on Wednesday at 5:30 PM to discuss the Payment In Lieu of Taxes for the Caplet City Center project and to provide input to a consultant from Beyer Blinder Belle, the architectural design firm undertaking a private study of the effects of height on the city's downtown core business district. The purpose of the study is to provide the Council input as to the effects of Louis Cappelli's proposed 34 and 32-story apartments planned in conjunction with his City Center project.