“Discover Yonkers Downtown” marks the beginning of an on-going new feature that the publisher of the Home News and Times has kindly invited the Yonkers Downtown Business Improvement District to contribute. We very much appreciate this opportunity. 
“Discover Yonkers Downtown”, the tagline of the Yonkers Downtown Business Improvement District, is an appropriate name because it underscores the significant developments that are happening in the continuing rebirth of the downtown waterfront area.  The goal of the BID is to make our city’s downtown area an attractive destination to live, work and spend leisure time.

As a native of Yonkers proud to be participating in this remarkable transformation, I personally look forward to sharing with you the exciting news that is happening here.

First, a little background.  When the Yonkers Downtown BID was created six years ago to help promote the economic revival of the area, there were major developments underway. These included both public and private sector investments.

The public side included the construction of the Riverfront Public Library, the renovation of the historic Yonkers Metro North Station, construction of a much-needed new public parking garage, the renovation of the Gazette Building on Main Street, and the creation of the public Sculpture Meadow on the Hudson - all major improvements affecting the entire downtown area.  It also included the renovation of the Philipsburgh Hall with the famous Roosevelt Ballroom as well as the BID office on Hudson Street.

The private sector investment included the start of Hudson Park, a $170 million waterfront residential project that when completed this summer will include 560 luxury rental apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and professional office space, along with a public promenade offering unobstructed views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. Hudson Park is very significant because it represents the single largest private investment in the downtown waterfront in some 50 years.

Developed by Collins Enterprises, the first of Hudson Park’s two residential projects includes 266 apartments and is completely leased.  The positive news continues in that Collins reports a waiting list of more than 100 prospective renters for apartments in the second phase that will begin to be opened in about three months. 

By taking a former industrial site to create an attractive new residential complex, Collins made a strong statement to the development community and demonstrated that the dream of downtown and waterfront revival in Yonkers is indeed becoming a reality.

In the last two years, the pace of the revitalization has quickened and has been expanding throughout the area of our BID. Just last summer we saw the opening of the Yonkers City Pier providing commuters water taxi service to Wall Street, and the spectacular debut of celebrity chef Peter Kelly’s new five-star restaurant, X20.

At the same time we have been seeing many new small businesses including restaurants, clothing stores and professional services such as legal and insurance open their doors for business in the downtown area. On a typical day, the shops along Main Street, Getty Square and Broadway are a hub of activity.

The BID plays a key role in this revival by supplementing the services provided to the district by the City of Yonkers and its agencies. In addition to forming partnerships, encouraging investment and supporting initiatives for a healthier commercial district, the Yonkers Downtown BID is active in enhancing the area to make it more attractive for businesses and visitors.

Last summer, we embarked on a beautification program.  To date, we have placed permanent tree lights on Main Street, carried out a repainting program, added flower baskets and numerous other touches that all add to an improved ambiance for visitors and residents alike.  In addition, working with the Yonkers Public Works Department, we provide a “Clean Team” to oversee street sweeping.

As part of our mission to promote the district as an exciting destination, we sponsor events that attract visitors such as the highly successful Riverfest and outdoor summer “Main Street Film Series at Dusk” and the “Jazz and Blues at Dusk” concerts. We will soon announce a number of new, unique and fun-filled events we are planning for this year, some of which I’ll discuss in future columns.

Again, on behalf of the Downtown BID, I welcome the opportunity to provide this information to you and look forward to a continued dialogue. We welcome your comments and suggestions to help make downtown Yonkers a great place to live and work. You can e-mail me at ssansone@yonkersdowntown.com.

And for more information on events and the people and businesses of the Downtown BID, visit our website, www.YonkersDowntown.com.