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Downtown Development Featured In New Rochelle State Of The City Speech

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – In his annual State of the City address, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson expressed the importance of cleaning up, fixing up and improving the downtown business district.

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson gave the State of the City on Tuesday night.

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson gave the State of the City on Tuesday night.

Photo Credit: Contributed/Kathy Gilwit
Following his speech, Mayor Noam Bramson spoke with New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Marrone and President Frank Miceli.

Following his speech, Mayor Noam Bramson spoke with New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Marrone and President Frank Miceli.

Photo Credit: Contributed/Kathy Gilwit

During his 45-minute speech on Tuesday night, Bramson discussed a number of topics, but the focus of the speech wasn’t on praising local residents or earning cheap laughs, it was instead about the future viability of downtown New Rochelle.

Bramson started his speech by praising the thriving local business, and patting the backs of the Police Department, which posted the most impressive crime stats in more than 50 years in 2014.

He made note of New Rochelle officials’ work with the homeless and discussed the future of the city, with scheduled upgrades to Feeney and Lincoln Park, an electric car charging station and new branding and marketing initiative; as well as the $2 million officials pledged for road repairs that will help now and in the future.

However, the bulk of the speech regarded the master plan for downtown New Rochelle. Citing a survey recently administered by city officials as they seek a “brand,” Bramson said that residents in New Rochelle don’t see the city the same way outsiders do, and they have a low opinion on things.

“This is all about the condition of our downtown,” he said. “If it were bursting and booming, lively and festive 24/7, we wouldn’t be shuffling our feet in disappointment, we’d be beating our chests in pride.”

The mayor noted that while New Rochelle was dogged by the recession – much like many Westchester County municipalities – the agreement with master developers RDRXR represents the future of the city.

“This will be a partnership like none we’ve had before. Because we’re not looking to develop this site or that site in isolation. We’re looking to enhance our downtown as a whole, with multiple sites planned together,” he said.

Bramson concluded his speech by saying, “if we get this right, if we take advantage of the good economy, execute a good plan, show ourselves to be good leaders, and give everyone from the biggest fan to the biggest skeptic a good reason to feel that their investment in this city is paid back in full, then it’s not just our bank accounts and budgets that will be enriched by the right kind of development – it’s our city’s soul.”

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