THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

Governor Cuomo to Revamp Penn Station Add 8 Tracks

Posted on January 8, 2020 by John Bailey

New **33rd Street Entrance, at 7th Avenue Madison Square Garden in background.**

Multi level view of New Penn Station Entrance for LIRR

WPCNR MAIN LINE. From the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. January 8, 2020:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled final design renderings Monday for the new main entrance to Penn Station.

The new entrance will be located at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue, providing much needed direct access to the Long Island Rail Road Main Concourse and the New York City Subway.

The project, which will begin construction in June, will eliminate congestion by doubling customer access and egress capacity to the LIRR level when it is completed in 2020, enhancing safety and security for passengers.

The Governor also announced that the overall Penn Station redevelopment master plan – which includes the creation of the Moynihan Train Hall – continues to move forward, which will fully transform Penn Station into a modern, world-class transportation hub.

“Penn Station was one of the great railroad stations of the world, but now it’s not fit for the greatest city in the nation,” Governor Cuomo said.

“That’s why we are creating a world class train hall at Moynihan and today we are announcing a new East End Gateway to bring more access, safety and light. Passengers will be able to come in that entrance and avoid the front of Penn Station, there will be less traffic and you’ll have access to the subway and the LIRR. It will be a gateway to a world class facility. This is not a proposal – we are getting to work now.”

The entrance will be the main entry point for passengers and is scheduled to open in December 2020.

Passenger traffic has more than tripled since the current Penn Station was built, increasing from 200,000 to 650,000 passengers daily.

Currently 250,000 people take the LIRR every day, along with 235,000 daily customers who use New Jersey Transit.

In addition, 115,000 people use the station each day solely to enter or leave the A/C/E and 1/2/3 subways or to patronize the on-site retail.

GOVERNOR CUOMO TALKS IN THE FOLLOWING NEWS CONFERENCE ON THE DETAILS OF THE NEW PENN STATION, 28 MINUTES:

**New Moynihan Hall Overview, preserving the Farley Post Office Facade. reminsent of the former Penn Station and creating a 10 Store Glass Covered Concourse for NJ Transit, AMTRAK lines**

**Moynihan Hall Multi Level View Showing Glass Covered Grand Concourse, a throwback to the former Penn Station Glass Canopy**

Presently, the Penn Station entrance on 34th Street is the only direct way to enter the LIRR level, and the concourse and its existing egress facilities are highly congested, with congestion certain to increase in the future. By creating the new entrance at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue, the project will relieve this potential congestion and the serious safety concerns it creates.

In doing so, the new entrance helps prepare the transit system for the implementation of Central Business District tolling, which will increase ridership as it reduces congestion in Manhattan and provides critical funding for further improvements.

The new entrance will connect passengers directly to the LIRR Main Concourse from 33rd Street and 7th Avenue, and will include three escalators, a stairway and an elevator. The project will widen the LIRR 33rd Street Concourse from its current 30 feet to 57 feet to allow easier access to trains and reduce potentially dangerous crowding.

The design will also increase the ceiling height to 18 feet across the entire concourse, eliminating the 7 and 8-foot high areas that have, for decades, made the station experience feel cramped and less spacious. Lighting will be improved and more intuitive wayfinding will be provided to passengers. LIRR customers will also have new direct sight lines to track level and there will be additional retail and dining options in the concourse as well.

The project is estimated to cost approximately $600 million, with $170 million of the total being allocated from the current 2015-19 MTA capital program. The remaining funds are being allocated by the State of New York.

Today’s announcement is part of Governor Cuomo’s overall Penn Station redevelopment master plan, which is moving forward and includes additional work to redevelop the remaining areas of Penn Station , as well as completely transforming the old Farley Post Office building into the new Moynihan Train Hall.

As part of the master plan and in collaboration with the MTA, beginning this summer, a functional and operational assessment will take place to develop additional plans to reconfigure the station. This assessment will then be complemented with extensive community engagement to refine the plans.

Five decades after the loss of the original and iconic Pennsylvania Station, the Moynihan Train Hall will once again provide New Yorkers a grand entrance in a McKim, Mead and White architectural marvel. The train hall is also set to open in December of 2020 and will bear the name of one of its great champions – the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

County Offers Free Flu Shots Next Week as Flu Season is at its height

Posted on January 8, 2020 by John Bailey

WPCNR HEALTH ISSUES. From the Westchester County Department of Health. January 8, 2019:

With peak flu season at the height of activity, County Executive George Latimer announced that the County Health Department will offer more free flu vaccines for residents by appointment on Tuesday, January 14 and Tuesday, January 21 at the County Clinic in White Plains.

Latimer said: “The flu is widespread this season, and it can be miserable if you come down with the virus. I encourage anyone who did not have a flu vaccine this fall to sign up for one today, to protect you and those around you well into 2020.”

The New York State Department of Health has reported a sharp increase in the number of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and hospitalizations reported statewide. So far this season in New York, 3,592 flu-related hospitalizations and one flu-associated pediatric death have been reported.

Westchester flu clinics are open to all, especially those without insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccines. Register online for a free flu vaccine atwww.health.ny.gov/gotoclinic/60. The vaccines will be given at the County Clinic, 134 Court St., White Plains, as follows:

Tuesday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The County Health Department has focused its public vaccination efforts on people who lack the means to get vaccinated elsewhere by bringing flu shots to homeless shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries throughout Westchester.

Dr. Sherlita Amler and County Executive George Amler

Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, said: “Everyone six months and older should get a flu shot each year. Flu can be deadly, and the flu vaccine is very safe and the best protection we have. By getting an annual flu shot, you help protect infants too young to be vaccinated, seniors and people with chronic health conditions, who are more vulnerable to flu complications.”

Flu activity usually peaks between December and February, but can last into May. One flu vaccine now provides protection all season long and can prevent illness or reduce the severity of flu symptoms. The vaccine becomes fully effective after about two weeks.

Dr. Amler said that anyone who does get a respiratory infection should cough or sneeze into their elbow, wash their hands frequently with soap and water, stay home until 24 hours after their fever subsides to avoid spreading germs, clean surfaces they touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones, and get plenty of rest.

Solomon Schecter School Effort to Run a Summer Day Camp Hearing Postponed

Posted on January 7, 2020 by John Bailey

The Leffell School (Solomon Schechter School) has requested an adjournment for its proposed amendment to allow the premises to be used as a summer day camp program. There is NO Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting tomorrow, Wednesday January 8th.

Instead, representatives from The Leffell School will attend the January 22nd Rosedale Association meeting to make a presentation and answer questions.

All are Welcome to Attend

Wednesday, January 22
7:30PM
WP Public School District Bldg
5 Homeside Lane

Luxury Home Sales Decline 25% in First 6 months of 2019 in Westchester County, then climb back

Posted on January 7, 2020 by John Bailey

WPCNR REALTY REALITY. From Houlihan-Lawrence. January 7, 2019:

Luxury markets north of NYC, all distinctive and unique, ended the year on a mixed note. Pricing, inventory levels and buyers changing taste and attitudes played a role in how each area fared in 2019, according to the Houlihan Lawrence Luxury Market Report released today.

In Westchester County, luxury sales ($2M and higher) dipped by 25% in the first half of 2019, a symptom of buyer malaise and concern about tax reform. Buyers returned to the market after tax returns were filed and the impact of tax reform on their personal balance sheet was clarified. Sales moved into positive territory in the third quarter and momentum continued to build in the fourth quarter. Second half gains offset most of first half declines and luxury sales in 2019 posted a modest decline.

The ultra-luxury segment of the market ($5M and higher) was level with 2018, but a sharp drop in selling prices made 2019 look very different from 2018. In 2018, Houlihan Lawrence’s sale of David Rockefeller’s estate sold for 50% over asking price and closed at a record-setting $33M. That same year five sales surpassed the $10M price mark.

In 2019 there were no sales over $10M and the highest sale, originally offered at $12M, closed at $8.1M. Most ultra-luxury sales took one or more price reduction and sold on average 26% off the original list price underscoring buyers’ value driven mentality at the high-end and conservative attitude towards real estate.

Luxury sales ($1M and higher) declined in Putnam and Dutchess counties although pended sales in Putnam increased significantly – a hopeful sign for 2020. Further north in Columbia County, Houlihan Lawrence represented the seller and buyer on a record-breaking $8M sale and established Houlihan Lawrence as the number one brokerage firm in Columbia County.

In Greenwich, luxury sales ($3M and higher) were down in 2019. Pended sales in the $3M-$3.99M price range jumped at the close of the year which may translate into a stronger first quarter.

Above $4M, a buildup of inventory continues to weigh down the market and put pressure on pricing. Motivated sellers have abandoned the notion of aspirational pricing – that is list prices that are disconnected from market values. Their pricing strategy is based on current market conditions, recent comparable sales of homes in similar condition, and market activity.

Sellers who listen to the market arrive at a realistic value that closes the gap between list price and selling price. Sellers may take a loss but their need to move on is stronger than their desire to achieve an unattainable number.

Prices adjusted in Darien and luxury sales ($2M and higher) increased in 2019. Pressure on pricing pulled down the median selling price and the number of sales in the $2M price range swelled at the expense of higher price points. New Canaan’s fourth quarter luxury sales are about level with same period last year and may be on the cusp of improving, similar to neighboring Darien.

Anthony Cutugno, Senior Vice President and Director of Private Brokerage for Houlihan Lawrence, said,

“Unemployment, inflation and interest rates remain low and most economic indicators are strong. 2019 closed with another year of double-digit gains in the stock market though rising portfolios did not translate into ebullient buyers.

The new decade ushers in an election year which is likely to impact luxury sales in the second half as buyers wait to see what the next four years will bring. For sellers who are truly motivated to sell, now is the time to take an objective look at pricing and presentation, adjust as needed, and enter the spring market with a too-good-to-resist offering.”