Yonkers Among ArtsWestchester Honorees

Studios, galleries, festivals and arts-centric development projects have been the driving forces behind the revival of Yonkers as a hub of culture and creativity. And people who know a thing or two about art have taken notice.

The City of Yonkers will be among the honorees at ArtsWestchester’s Arts Award Luncheon, scheduled for April 8 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown. The Arts Awards are presented annually by ArtsWestchester to recognize individuals and organizations whose vision, commitment and leadership have enriched the cultural life of Westchester County. Yonkers is being honored in the Community category.

“The City of Yonkers is rapidly becoming an Arts City, welcoming artists with new zoning initiatives, fostering creative industries and supporting the cultural infrastructure as a vital component of a ‘happening’ place,” ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam said in announcing the award recipients.

In recent years, Yonkers Arts Weekend in the spring, a jazz series in the summer, and organizations such as Blue Door Gallery, Youth Theatre Interactions and newcomers SUNY Purchase and Urban Studio Unbound have added to the city’s artistic appeal. And in another nod to the city’s artistic bent, the work of Yonkers’ own Barbara Segal is being featured in ArtsWestchester’s spring exhibition, SHE: Deconstructing Female Identity.

Development around the arts is continuing in Yonkers. A grant awarded to R.J. Rose Realty, LLC will be used to develop an arts and technology hub at the former Alexander Smith Carpet Mills site, and an urban heritage waterfront sculpture will be created thanks to funding from another grant. The waterfront has been a hot spot for arts-related development: renowned designer Maya Lin and husband Daniel Wolf recently converted an outdated jail into a gallery and studios.

Yonkers projects benefit from $2.4M in grants

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council has made a substantial investment in the future of Yonkers – to the tune of more than $2.4 million in grant money.

The funding, announced last week, will support five projects. It does not include $490,000 in funding awarded last week directly to the City of Yonkers in support of two other grant applications – for the improvement of the downtown waterfront esplanade and the creation of an urban heritage waterfront sculpture.

“Combined with $1 billion of private investment in Yonkers, this funding proves that economic development, job creation and investment are back on track,” Mayor Mike Spano said.

The $2,444,168 doled out by the council will fund these projects:

SoYo Mixed-Use Development ($1,250,000) – SoYo Exalta, LLC will construct a mixed-use transit-oriented development at Larkin Plaza, nearly a full square block in the center of downtown Yonkers adjacent to Van der Donck Park and near the Yonkers Train Station. Plans call for 25-story and 17-story residential unit towers and 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

Yonkers Carpet Mills Arts District Revitalization Project ($500,000) – R.J. Rose Realty, LLC will make critical improvements to the former Alexander Smith Carpet Mills site, which will become a working arts and technology hub.

Yonkers Rail Trail Phase One Capital Construction ($394,280) – Groundwork Hudson Valley will build Phase 1 of a 2-mile rail trail, stretching from the Downtown Yonkers Waterfront to the 242nd Street subway station in Riverdale. This segment will feature a new park and play area along the trail.

Greyston Bakery Capital Improvements ($200,000) – The bakery will upgrade equipment used in its Yonkers facility, including its environmental control and electrical systems.

Production Training ($99,888) – Greyston Foundation Inc. of Yonkers will train 75 workers.

“I am extremely pleased that Yonkers projects were so successful in the grants awarded by the New York State Regional Economic Development Council/Upstate Revitalization Initiative competition,” State Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer said. “Clearly, the Council recognized the great work happening in Yonkers and awarded a significant public investment in our community.”

Added State Assemblyman Gary Pretlow: “These projects will mean good-paying construction and permanent jobs in Yonkers. I join Mayor Spano and my colleagues in the State Legislature in thanking the Regional Council for their continued support of job creation and economic development in Yonkers.”

Grants totaling $490K earmarked for 2 City of Yonkers projects

Mayor Mike Spano and other Yonkers leaders aren’t the only believers in the revitalization of the city’s waterfront.

So, too, are the members of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council.

The Council last week awarded $490,000 in funding to the City of Yonkers in response to a pair of grant applications aimed at sprucing up the waterfront area.

“I’m pleased that key projects I support in Yonkers will be getting the resources they requested in this highly competitive process,” State Senator and Yonkers resident Andrea Stewart-Cousins said.

The grants will cover the following:

  • Expansion and enhancement of the downtown waterfront esplanade. Two waterfront walkways, as well as recreational trails, will be developed near the Yonkers train station. ($400,000)
  • Creation of an urban heritage waterfront sculpture, part of the Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden initiative developed by local African-American artist Vinnie Bagwell (pictured; photo courtesy of wcalvinanderson.com). The City of Yonkers, ArtsWestchester and the Yonkers Board of Education will collaborate with Bagwell on the project. ($90,000)

“I’d like to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo and our State Delegation for these latest awards and their continued support as we work to further grow our city, improve our economy and position Yonkers as the best city in which to live, work and play,” Spano said.

With $1 Billion in Development, GenY Campaign Kicks-Off Round 2

So how much is being invested in Yonkers at the moment?

One billion … Yup, with a B.

There’s more than $1 billion in commercial and residential development going on in Yonkers at the moment. A few hundred million here, a few hundred million there, and viola … you’ve got yourself major movement in the city.

Mayor Mike Spano made the proclamation this week when he and other business leaders announced the second iteration of the very successful Generation Yonkers campaign – one that shows that Yonkers is the next urban frontier, a happening place to live, work and play.
The campaign, created by Thompson & Bender, captures the excitement and energy that’s going on in Yonkers. Granted, I’m a little biased (I’m a Yonkers native and work at T&B), but after living in these parts for decades, I can tell you that Long Island City, Hoboken and Jersey City got nothing on us. And we’re actually closer to some parts of Manhattan than Brooklyn — with or without an express train.

And we’re hip. The hippest town, in fact, in the Lower Hudson Valley, as voted by the readers of LoHud.com.

Don’t take my word for it. Here’s what others are saying:

“Yonkers is on the cusp of becoming the next Hoboken or Williamsburg. It’s got everything young people are looking for,” says Joe Cotter, President, iPark, whose company is transforming a building in his iPark complex in Yonkers into 100 micro-unit, loft-style apartments targeted to Millennials.

“People are rushing to Yonkers now. They’re discovering what I’ve known for a lifetime,” says Peter Kelly, renowned chef and owner of X2O Xaviars on the Hudson who was born and raised in Yonkers.

Still not sold? Check out these numbers; they tell the story of a city that has real economic development chops.

$1 Billion of Economic Development in Yonkers

Larkin Plaza | $200 Million

Located just steps away from the Yonkers Metro North station and directly across from the award-winning daylighted Saw Mill River Park, RXR Realty & Rising Development will build 25-story and 17-story residential unit towers and 40,000-square-feet of ground-level retail and restaurant space.

Teutonia Buena Vista | $149 Million

Located at the site of the former Teutonia Hall, an 18th Century German Opera Hall in Downtown Yonkers, Metro Partners, whose other Yonkers projects include the successful 66 Main and Trolley Barn developments, will build a 360-unit, 24-story residential tower on Buena Vista Avenue.

Fed Ex | $121 Million

Fed Ex is relocating from the Bronx to Yonkers. Demolition of existing buildings is currently underway to make way for a 123,000-square-foot regional distribution center on Tuckahoe Road, providing the company with easy access to Yonkers’ network of highways which include I-87, Sprain Brook Parkway, Saw Mill River Parkway and Cross County Parkway.

Palisades Point | $115 Million

Located on Yonkers’ beautiful Hudson River waterfront, the Palisades Point development will add nearly 600,000-square-feet of residential space to the downtown. The 6-story, 324-unit buildings will directly connect residents to Yonkers’ river esplanade, parks and restaurants.

River Tides | $100 Million

One of the largest residential developments currently under construction in Yonkers in recent years, Ginsburg Development Companies’ (GDC) River Tides is a 330-unit luxury rental complex located just a short walk from the Greyston Metro North Station. The 10-story building features a mix of studio through 3-bedroom units.

Hudson River Park Club | $85 Million

The third and final phase of Collins Enterprises’ successful Hudson Park residential complex, Hudson River Park Club is a new 230,000-square-foot, 16-story downtown waterfront residential building with one- and two-story rental units.

The Boyce Thompson Center | $35 Million

Simone Development is transforming the long-abandoned Boyce Thompson Institute on North Broadway across the street from Alder Manor and the Lenoir Preserve into a modern 85,000-square-foot mixed-use complex of offices, medical space and retail. Before even breaking ground, Simone leased 15,000 square feet to St. John’s Riverside Hospital.

Cintas | $25 Million

Uniform-cleaning & maintenance company Cintas will build its regional operations center in South Westchester Executive Park. The 60,000-square-foot facility will be the base of service operations for the company’s metro area customers, relocating 160 jobs to North Yonkers.

UNO Micro Units at i.Park | $15 Million

Located in the former Otis Elevator complex in downtown Yonkers, the UNO project by National Resources Development will transform the existing structure into loft-style rentals and add an additional four stories to the building. Units will feature ceilings ranging from 14 to 20 feet, oversized industrial windows and open floor plans.

Other Projects | $216.25 Million

• 188 Warburton | $29 Million
• Adira Rehab at St. John’s Riverside Hospital | $26 Million
• Courtyard by Marriott at South Westchester Executive Park | $24 Million
• Grant Park II | $22 Million
• Met Lofts Luxury Condominiums on Palmer Road | $21 Million
• Hilton Hampton Inn on Tuckahoe Road | $20 Million
• GDC’s 55-Unit Residential Building on Warburton Avenue | $18 Million
• 470 Nepperhan Ave | $13.50 Million
• i.FLY Indoor Skydiving at Ridge Hill | $10 Million
• OZ Moving | $10.5 Million
• Alder Manor | $8.5 Million
• 179 Saw Mill River Road | $7.25 Million
• Fast Linen | $4 Million
• Leggiadro | $2.5 Million

Join the excitement. #GenerationYonkers. Be Part of it.

Outdoor Summer Film Series in Yonkers

 

Generation Yonkers is thrilled to support an exciting, new summer entertainment option that solidifies Yonkers’ spot as “The Hippest Town in the Lower Hudson Valley” by combining three of our favorite things to savor in summer—film, food and the great outdoors.

 

In August, Yonkers welcomes Rooftop Films Summer Series at Ridge Hill where residents can enjoy the best of the last days of summer with special screenings of top independent films at Ridge Hill’s outdoor theater overlooking Sprain Ridge Park. Rooftop Films, based on Brooklyn, NY, is a film company dedicated to bringing sophisticated, urban and suburban crowds together for unique and memorable events that inspire an appreciation of independent films.

 

Come out at 7pm to enjoy a full evening of festivities, including music, entertainment and special food and brew tastings from top Ridge Hill restaurants and Yonkers Brewing Company. Then settle in and enjoy two acclaimed movies on the big screen.

 

On Wednesday, August 19th, Rooftop Films will present a screening of the 2015 Oscar winner for Best Picture, Birdman, starring Michael Keaton and written and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu.

 

On Thursday, August 27th, come out to enjoy the critically-acclaimed Whiplash, starring Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller in a film written and directed by Damien Chazelle.

 

Food, music and entertainment begin at 7pm. Films begin at sunset.

Location: 1 Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers, NY (parking lot behind Dick’s Sporting Goods)

 

For more information, go to www.RidgeHill.com.

Yonkers is Open for Business

DSC_0323More than two dozen commercial brokers from some of the region’s leading real estate firms on Wednesday joined Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano for a tour of some of the city’s most unique and interesting office spaces.

The trolley tour showcased renovated industrial space, lofts and modern buildings that are affordably priced and appealing to entrepreneurs, start-ups and companies targeting a growing workforce of Millennials. The tour included stops at iPark Lofts, Alexander Smith Carpet Mills, 66 and 86 Main Street, among several others.

It concluded with a reception at Peter Kelly’s Xaviars X2O on the Hudson where Mayor Spano highlighted Yonkers’ great assets, notably restaurants, new rental housing, spectacular views of the Hudson and quick and easy access to Manhattan.

“Whether it’s high-tech, biotech, the arts, healthcare or start-ups, we have incredible space available right here in Yonkers – at a fraction of the cost of New York City and elsewhere in the region,” said Mayor Spano. “Yonkers truly is the best-kept secret in the Metropolitan area and our office space is ideal for smart tenants looking for great space.”

The tour showcased office properties with high ceilings, original hardwood floors, spectacular Hudson River views and lots of potential. Many of these properties offer businesses a creative and appealing office environment that is affordable, accessible and modern, the mayor noted. As part of the tour, landlords, developers and representatives from Mindspark and ContraFect shared their reasons for choosing Yonkers and the city’s cooperative approach to working with businesses.

View a photo gallery of available spaces and check out pictures from the tour.

The trolley tour complements other exciting efforts recently launched by the Generation Yonkers campaign, notably a series of videos that take viewers on virtual tour of some of the unique buildings and loft spaces available throughout Yonkers. Called Space Invaders, the segments showcase many of the buildings highlighted on the tour.

 

Both the in-person tour and videos draw on Yonkers’ assets: It is just 25 minutes by train to Grand Central Terminal and is accessible to major highways, roadways and bridges, four major airports and public transportation. With its fabulous restaurants, entertainment, shopping and parks, the city is targeting a new generation of business leaders who are looking for quality space at an affordable price and appreciate the great quality of life that Yonkers has to offer. Also notable is that Yonkers was recently named the “Hippest Town” in the Hudson Valley by popular vote on The Journal News’ website LoHud.com.

The Generation Yonkers campaign, which was developed last year, builds on the momentum of many new businesses and exciting development happening throughout the and speaks to Millennials or Generation Y, loosely defined as those born between 1983 and the early 2000’s that represent the next big wave of the nation’s workforce.

Be part of Generation Yonkers. To learn more, call 1-844-GenY-Now, or visit GenerationYonkers.com.DSC_0314

Tonight, we celebrate!

Here in Yonkers, there was little doubt about which community was the hippest town in the Lower Hudson Valley.

Then The Journal News and lohud.com made it official. The City of Gracious Living, home of Getty Square, Untermyer Park & Gardens, and those breathtaking views of the Palisades was chosen above all the others in an online competition that stretched over several weeks.

Now it’s time to party.

Come out and join others who love Yonkers and lohud reporter Christine Gritmon at the Yonkers Brewing Company, 92 Main Street, for live music from Frisky Chestnut, three rounds of Yonkers trivia and a cake from Anna Artuso’s Pastry Shop, a McLean Avenue institution.

It starts at 6 p.m.

Collect Generation Yonkers swag and enter raffles for giveaways throughout the night.

At 7 p.m., Gritmon will present Mayor Michael Spano with a certificate declaring Yonkers the Hippest Town in all the region.

Generation Yonkers representatives will be there to help celebrate the city and its current social renaissance.

So come find out what many already knew. This is, in Gritmon’s words, a “newly revitalized powerhouse city, which in recent years has invested heavily in the arts, riverfront development and a stronger, safer, hipper downtown business district.”

Yeah. We knew that.

GenerationYonkers: The Next Brooklyn

With our Generation Yonkers campaign, we keep saying that Yonkers is the next urban frontier, the new Brooklyn or Hoboken, if you will. Well, it turns out Yonkers is shaping up to be the next Brooklyn — Lohud voters chose it as the hippest town in Westchester. No surprise there — it has great restaurants, night life, shopping and neighborhoods. Plus, it’s affordable, urban, diverse and just minutes from New York City. Check out what Yonkers realtor Patricia Breen of Houlihan Lawrence has to say where a lot of buyers are coming from and why they are choosing Yonkers.

Four Reasons to Rent Office Space in Yonkers, NY

As New York City rents continue to skyrocket, savvy business owners are moving north for more affordable office space. With all that Westchester County has to offer—from topnotch educational facilities, to generous incentives for regional businesses, to an unparalleled quality of life—it’s really no surprise.

Why Rent Office Space in Yonkers, NY?

If your company plans to rent office space in NY, then consider Yonkers.   Why? Because…

  1. Hundreds of Thousands of Square Feet of Affordable Office Space: Whether you want a luxurious waterfront loft in a high-rise, a modest office in downtown, or an entire warehouse in the industrial zone—it’s available in Yonkers—and for a fraction of what it would cost in NYC.
  1. The Yonkers Downtown Waterfront Business Improvement District (YDWBID): The “BID” was created to build working partnerships, encourage investment, and support initiatives for a healthier commercial district in the downtown of Yonkers. Establishing a presence in Yonkers affords your business the opportunity to become a part of it.
  1. Diversity: With a population of over 200,000, Yonkers is Westchester County’s largest city, and a true sociocultural melting pot. This diversity is embraced and reflected in the local culture—from restaurants, to arts and entertainment, to social events, to community institutions.
  1. Proximity to NYC: If you rent office space in Yonkers – you are just 30 minutes away from NYC. This means an easy commute for Manhattan based employees—as well as close proximity to thousands of highly qualified potential new recruits from some of America’s most prestigious universities.

Waterfront Office for Rent in NY’s Intellectual Capital

The affordability of a waterfront office in Yonkers is just one of many compelling reasons to establish your company’s corporate headquarters in Westchester County. Due to the county’s aggressive economic development campaign, it has never been easier to find an office for rent in the region.

Over the past five years, the Westchester Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and Local Development Corporation (LDC) have provided low-cost financing and other benefits in support of more than $800 million for construction businesses and not-for-profits. The region is booming with no signs of slowing down.

Also referred to as the “Intellectual Capital” of NY, Westchester County accounts for roughly twenty percent of NY’s total employment in the biotechnology field, and is home to some of the nation’s best universities and public schools. Residents enjoy a high standard of living, and access to a wide range of both indoor and outdoor recreational activities.

In addition to its intellectual capital, Westchester County is endowed with an abundance of NY’s most attractive waterfront property—and much of it is located right here in Yonkers.

After years of intensive reconstruction and development, the old industrial waterfront of Yonkers has been rejuvenated and reclaimed by urban pioneers. Daniel Wolf, an art collector and dealer, recently transformed the city’s former jail into a space for studios and a gallery. Developers razed and replaced dilapidated factories with sleek, elegant, high-rise office buildings and residencies. The success of Yonkers is reflected in its waterfront—and your company could be a part of it. Contact us to find an office for rent on Yonkers incredible esplanade plaza.