New Rochelle's Pedestrian-Friendly Future Breaks Ground

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle's latest public improvement project is being billed as a "bellwether for the city's continued evolution as an inclusive, forward-thinking walkable city." The claim might sound like hyperbole, but the ambitious revitalization has the potential to redefine how we think about downtown.

In an innovative public-private partnership, developers Wilder Balter Partners and LMXD, and the City of New Rochelle began construction on a $4 million transformation of Anderson Plaza and Anderson Street.

Anderson Street is a one-way thoroughfare between North Avenue and LeCount Place in New Rochelle's Downtown Overlay Zone. Anderson Plaza is an adjoining, underutilized public open space. The renovated plaza is envisioned as becoming a versatile public retail corridor with a bubbler play fountain, new seating options, refreshed landscaping and a café builidng to help draw foot traffic and complement the retail spaces.

A planned roadway reconfiguration will allow traffic on Anderson Street to be controlled so that the plaza and roadway can be temporarily used by pedestrians only or as a welcoming outdoor event space for farmers markets, festival and live performances.

"New Rochelle is a prime example of what busy New Yorkers dream of – everything young professionals or a growing family could want, just outside of New York City," New Rochelle Development Commissioner Adam Salgado said. "The redevelopment of Anderson Plaza is just one example of how we invest in our community and offer a welcoming, engaging, quality space for our neighbors."

By creating a neighborhood focal point for downtown residents, shoppers and workers, it is hoped the project will create an increasingly attractive environment for transit-oriented development in New Rochelle.

“The new Anderson Plaza renovation illustrates New Rochelle's commitment to pedestrian-friendly urban design and to ensuring that economic development results in a stronger community with a higher quality of life for all of us," Mayor Noam Bramson said. “I look forward to this enhanced space becoming a hub of positive activity that contributes to the health and vitality of our central business district and of our city as a whole."

At the groundbreaking ceremony, visitors were able to catch a sneak peek of what the plaza will look like through VR technology using NRVR, the city's community engagement platform.

Anderson Plaza construction is expected to be completed by early 2023.

"The revitalization of Anderson Plaza is just one of many improvements to the pedestrian experience to come to downtown New Rochelle," City Manager Charles Strome said. "As we continue to grow and invest in our community, these new and improved communal spaces will offer downtown visitors and residents a space for engagement and respite from the busy city streets."

More information on the project and renderings of the design can be found here and here.