White Plains Launches Multi Modal Transit District Project Website
In order to engage the public in the planning stages of a Downtown White Plains Transit District, the mayor’s office has launched a project website.
The site contains background information, maps, information about upcoming public engagement sessions, and contact information for those who wish to submit a comment, idea or question. “I expect it to be a great tool for us as this project progresses and encourage everyone to check the site often for updated material and information,” Mayor Roach said.
The website can be accessed directly at http://wptransitdistrict.com/ or through the City’s website, www.whiteplainsny.gov, by going to the City Government tab and clicking “WP Transit District Study” on the drop down menu.
White Plains was awarded a grant of $1 million from Governor Cuomo’s Cleaner, Greener Communities program, which is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for preliminary planning, design and engineering related to the White Plains Transportation Center area. The goal is to complete this process within one year with a visionary, yet realistic, strategy for redevelopment.
The process includes re-assessing the White Plains Metro-North station so that it functions more efficiently for all users and integrates the myriad of transit services while also creating a more welcoming and dynamic “place”; re-establishing the Transit District, the area immediately surrounding the station, through the creation of more pedestrian-scale streets, transit-supportive land uses (commercial and residential), and engaging public spaces; strengthening the linkages and connections between the transit district and the downtown core; and strategic planning which will help identify early opportunities that will have an immediate impact on specific conditions and which is also comprehensive, including identifying potential funding streams and funding priorities.
The City of White Plains and its consultant team are currently reviewing existing conditions in the project area and conducting baseline studies in traffic, pedestrian activity and conditions, parking utilization, market conditions assessment, and land use, urban design and development capacity.
White Plains will hold its first public engagement session on the project on Thursday, Feb. 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the White Plains Public Library.
