Spring has arrived and the Yonkers Downtown Waterfront Business Improvement District has been abuzz with new and exciting happenings.  First, I am pleased to announce that the Yonkers Downtown BID Board of Directors elected a new Chairman, Ken Dearden.  Since 2004, Ken has served as an active member of the Yonkers Downtown BID Board, most recently as Vice Chairman. He is a principal of Metro Partners, a Yonkers-based developer of mixed use properties. Two of his company’s notable projects are located in the heart of Downtown Yonkers—Metro 92, a 40-unit loft-style rental and retail building located at 92 Main Street and 66 Main, a170-unit rental apartment and retail building.

The BID also welcomed three new members to its board of directors.  Roger Ayuso is a property owner and runs Roger's Discount Furniture, a wholesale and retail furniture store on North Broadway.  Silvia Metrena is an attorney and practices from 20 South Broadway.  Nick Sprayregen is both a downtown property owner and the newspaper publisher of titles such as the Home News & Times.

All of us at the Yonkers Downtown BID—merchants and supporters—look forward to working with Ken and the entire board to unleash the great potential of the downtown district that is undergoing revitalization.

We’ve also been busy working in the interests of our members by expanding the lines of communication with our elected officials and making sure the business community is represented on matters impacting the downtown district. In this regard, we were pleased to be invited by Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Legislator representing Yonkers to join a new task force comprising Westchester County and Yonkers officials to study a permanent transportation hub in the Getty Square area. Our participation will assure that our concerns will be voiced.  Specifically, we want to make sure that the flow of customers to the merchants and other businesses in the downtown district  will not be impeded in any proposed plan.

As part of our ongoing mission to assure that the district is safe, attractive and well maintained, we completed a street by street inspection of lights and reported any that were not functioning to the City for repairs.  With the arrival of warmer weather and outdoor public events, our Downtown BID Rangers will be busy keeping the streets clean.
 
In addition to our focus on safety and cleanliness issues, the Yonkers Downtown  BID continues to plan a number of new, unique and entertaining events to help make the downtown a go-to destination. The first of these was Let’s Dance Downtown!, an evening of dancing at the historic Roosevelt Ballroom, that attracted dancers from near and far who danced the night away to the D.J. music by Pinilla Entertainment.

Evolution Arts, a new art exhibit series that is open to artists throughout Westchester and the region, launched on Sunday, April 20th.  The event will be held again from 3-5 pm on May 15 and June 15. The exhibit sites, clustered together on Main Street and the Yonkers waterfront, will enable visitors to stroll through all of them during the exhibit hours.  They are “The Loft Dance & Fitness” and Metro 92 (both at 92 Main Street); Hudson Park, the luxury rental apartment complex along the Yonkers waterfront and the Station Plaza office building at 86 Main Street.

In addition to celebrating the artists, local restaurants will participate, offering art lovers the opportunity to enjoy special lunch and dinner menus.

The idea for Evolution Arts  originated with Jacqueline Bouet, owner of “The Loft Dance & Fitness” and a member of  Yonkers Downtown BID Board; Jef Campion, a local artist and downtown resident and myself.  “The Loft Dance & Fitness” has a gallery of art in the lobby featuring Jef’s works as well as other artists and pieces from The Animazing Gallery.   

Artists wishing to submit their art to Evolution Arts should contact the selection committee by sending an e-mail to info@yonkersdowntown.com as the next deadline for submission is May 1sts.

And Spring would not be the same without our Annual Sidewalk Sales which got underway in early April and will be repeated May 1-4 and June 5-8 and continue through October. You’ll find fabulous bargains and special items for sale by participating businesses. Check our website, www.yonkersdowntown.com, for details on sidewalk sales and other upcoming events.

Finally, on behalf of the entire BID community, I’d like to again congratulate Eduardo Crespo, building superintendent at Metro 92, who was honored at theDowntown Yonkers BID’s Annual Meeting in March for receiving the first Downtown BID “Star” Award.  Mr. Crespo was cited for his exemplary civic-minded actions.

The Yonkers Downtown BID Board of Directors’ selection committee will recognize an individual or company with the Star Award for making an exceptional contribution to the district. Individuals like Eduardo are another reason why Yonkers Downtown is such a great place to live, work and visit.

 I wish you and yours a wonderful spring and look forward to seeing you in downtown Yonkers