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WPCNR CNA NEWS. January 9, 2006: The Council of Neighborhood Associations meets for its first get-together of the new year Tuesday at 7:45 P.M. at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane with Ken Worden, chairing his first meeting as President. All are welcome to attend: The agenda:
AGENDA:
1. 2006 Objectives and Plans
2. Discussion of a proposed CNA website
3. Issues in the neighborhoods
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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. January 6, 2005: The Three Phantoms, a popular road show featuring local former lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, Westchester’s Craig Schulman, will be the headline fund-raising event of the season to give the White Plains Performing Arts Center a new start, according to the White Plains Performing Arts Center Box office.
The gala is the first by the White Plains Performing Arts Center Board of Directors to get the troubled White Plains Performing Arts Center the financial base to steady its creative ship. Promotions inviting Westchester’s glitterati to the Gala are reported in the process of preparation.
The WPPAC Box Office confirmed to WPCNR that “The Three Phantoms” would be playing for one night only on March 20. Ticket information is not yet available. Highlights of the key fundraiser, seen by many as the launch of a new direction and start for the beleagured, financially troubled theater, are not yet available.
Mr. Schulman created The Three Phantoms a decade ago with Mr. Gray and Mr. Groenendaal, and has been taking it on tour playing to excellent crowds. Prior to coming to the WPPAC March 20, Mr. Schulman and his fellow Phantoms will be performing in Hawaii, Phoenix, Shreveport, and Youngstown, Ohio. Schulman has the distinction of having played three of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s unforgettable leads, The Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and the troubled Dr. Jekyll in Jekyll and Hyde. More on Mr. Schulman’s colorful career can be found at www.craigschulman.com.
The Road Back?
White Plains Performing Arts Center was reported by Tony Stimac to be $400,000 in the red for the 2005-2006 season thus far at a Common Council meeting in October, and awaits at this time an infusion of $100,000 in cash from Super Developer Louis Cappelli, and an additional $100,000 in funding, that Mr. Cappelli, a member of the Board of Directors promised to raise. The Common Council at the request of Mr. Stimac, voted to give the theater $100,000 to contribute to bringing down the deficit in a November meeting, to meet Mr. Cappelli’s “match challenge.”
The Gala had been originally postponed from its intended date in October, due at that time, according to Tony Stimac, Artistic Director of the theater, to a conflict with the White Plains Public Library fundraiser. Anyway arrangements were finalized, according to the box office spokesperson Tuesday to schedule “The Phantoms.”
Girls Room and Charlie’s Place Postponed. New Entertainments Searched.
The White Plains Performing Arts Center Box Office also reported Thursday that the next scheduled productions, The Girls Room, starring the Broadway legend, Phyllis Newman, scheduled to play March 3 to 12 and the play in development, Charlie’s Place scheduled to run April 28 to May 7, both as part of the WPPAC Subscription Series have been postponed.
The postponement apears to be a playing out of reports from Actors Equity in October that the WPPAC and the Helen Hayes Theatre Company was cancelling their season, which was denied by Mr. Stimac to WPCNR at the time the Actors Equity report was relayed to WPCNR.
A member of the Board of Directors of the theater told WPCNR Wednesday that the WPPAC management is at this time in the process of scheduling replacement productions for The Girls Room and Charlie’s Place, relying on non-Actors Equity groups, or educational groups.
Rental productions such as Playgroup Theater will continue to play the WPPAC as scheduled, and they are drawing very well, according the Director, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Two calls to Tony Stimac by WPCNR requesting more details on the The Three Phantoms performance and the new shows being contemplated have not yet been returned.
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WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. By John F. Bailey.
Ms. Schaffer announced to WPCNR today that the number of homeless single persons known by the county had dropped 25% since January 1, 2003, through October 31 of 2005, from 440 to 331.
.The concept of the Day Drop In Shelter was originally advanced by White Plains Mayor, Joseph Delfino, as a possible way to deal with the homeless in the street problem, in the wake of the murder of a
Schaffer said the program has been operating for three weeks and would be moving a few storefronts down to
Schaffer commented that about 40 persons are taking advantage of the Open Arms Day Drop In Center, but not all at one time. Asked if the Day Drop In Center could be a source for jobs or possible day labor source, she said “We just want to win their confidence and get them to trust us and accept our help with their addictions and problems.”
Schaffer made the comments in discussing the $6 Million grant announced yesterday from the Continuum of Care Process to the Department of Mental Health and provides housing and needed support services to many homeless county residents with disabilities.
Ms Schaffer advised CNR that the $6 Million grant is used in part to continue funding apartments for homeless with disabilities who make use of county services in dealing with any addictions or receiving medical care. Schaffer confirmed that the housing program serves over 400 homeless persons, providing them with individual apartments.
Number of homeless single persons in County Drops 25% in 2 Years.
CLUSTER – 8
H.O.P.E. – 13
Human Development Services of
Pathways to Housing – 8
Planned Community Living – 24
Rehabilitation Support Services – 30
Sharing Community – 8
Westhab – 30
Total: 388
She said that the hardcore homeless who do not accept county services are not eligible for individual apartment housing that the county provides to homeless single persons and families with disabilities. She said the aim of the Day Drop In Shelter is to reach out and win the confidence of the hardcore homeless and get them help for their addictions and mental problems
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WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. January 5, 2005: A reader noting the county plan to house White Plains drifting homeless, described by the county as “hardcore”, at 85 Court Street writes:
This is a county building being used as a residence. It probably comes
under provisions of White Plains’ building code. Therefore, Delfino
should dispatch the building inspectors to make sure that applicable
codes are observed, filings are performed, etc. If the building has a
change of use, a new certificate of occupancy may be in order before the
facility can be legally occupied. Moreover, the city’s fire inspector
must rate the maximum safe occupancy of the facility. That official
would also have discretion to shutter the facility if it is consistently
overcrowded.
As these are the hardcore homeless, often mentally disturbed, perhaps
the best thing to do would be to resurrect a county psychiatric home for
these people. They might get the medical attention they need. They
would be safe. We would be safe.
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WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 4, 2005: According to the Westchester County Department of Communications today, the county is going ahead with plans to house homeless persons collected each evening in White Plains (and currently bused to the Airport Shelter), in the lower floor of 85 Court Street beginning January 10 as previously announced.
At this time, according to the County, neither the Mayor’s Office nor the White Plains Business Improvement District has provided an alternative place to house the homeless as the county requested in a closed meeting last week. The spokesperson, Donna Green, noted to WPCNR that Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz had made it clear to the Mayor’s Office and the BID last week that unless the city or the BID suggested alternative sites that the county would proceed with housing the homeless at 85 Court Street, because the County does not want the homeless freezing in the streets.
Last night at a break in the Common Council meeting, Mayor Joseph Delfino told WPCNR, he was opposed to the 85 Court Street location, and he stuck to his suggestion that the county hold a meeting with all cities and towns to discuss a solution to the problem, since only 5% of the persons picked up each night in White Plains are actually from White Plains. The Mayor said he had not received a response from Mr. Schwartz to his letter suggesting the countywide conference on the homeless problem.
Asked if Deputy County Executive Schwartz was planning a response to the Mayor’s letter (published on this website in a previous story, “Schwartz Gives City Homeless Ultimatum. Mayor Delfino Responds.”), Ms. Green said she was not aware of any response at this time. Asked if the county was planning to establish a department to deal exclusively and more intensely with the homeless issue, Ms. Green said “No, we are happy with the way the Department of Social Services is handling it.”
Ms. Green said she would check on if Pathways to Housing was asked for its input in how to handle the “hardcore” homeless problem. Pathways is the New York City-based organization that has had considerable success in placing homeless persons for the Department of Social Services.
The Reverend Janet Vincent of Grace Community Church told WPCNR considerable renovations had to be conducted at 96 East Post Road before a drop-in Day Social Services Center providing counciling to homeless planned to be dropped off at 85 Court Street opened there. Though the application for a Special Permit to run the site there was withdrawn at last night’s Common Council meeting because of a procedural matter, and a $3 Million grant has been awarded the County to run the shelter at 96 East Post Road, it will not likely be ready as of the 10th.
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WPCNR PRESS BOX. From County Legislator James Maisano. January4, 2006: A Memorandum has been circulated to Chairman William Ryan of the County Board of Legislators protesting the county’s awarding Saxon Woods Golf Course to Billy Casper Golf. The memo states:
________________________________________________________________________________________
MEMORANDUM
To: William Ryan, Chairman of the Board of Legislators
From: Legislators Jim Maisano, George Oros & Suzanne Swanson
Date:
Re: Testimony on Saxon Woods Golf Dispute
As you know, we conducted a public meeting on
Please be advised that the room was packed with individuals who came with short notice to testify about Mr. Cambareri, Saxon Woods Golf Course and the current state of our county golf system. The unanimous sentiment of the people who testified was that Mr. Cambareri is a shining star at our golf courses and that his work has been a model for other public golf courses. According to all of the speakers, Mr. Cambareri has done an outstanding job in managing, teaching and promoting golf at Saxon Woods and throughout the county. This gentleman is deeply committed to our county golf course system and has been working at our courses since he was a teenager.
We are very concerned with the weak reputation of Billy Casper Golf LLC, the company that was awarded a no-bid/no-RFP contract to replace Mr. Cambareri at Saxon Woods. We understand that Billy Casper Golf has already generated a poor track record at Maple Moor and Hudson Hills. Upon initial review, Mr. Cambareri is doing a much better job at Saxon Woods than Billy Casper Golf LLC is at our other golf courses and he certainly should not be replaced.
In addition, it became very clear from the testimony that the county is moving forward with privatizing all county golf courses. If so, we are certain that this would be an enormous concern for the leadership at CSEA. We do not remember our Board ever making a policy decision to privatize the county golf courses, and we need to be involved in this decision-making process.
We strongly maintain that a full investigation of this matter must be conducted by our Board prior to any contract being approved at Saxon Woods for Billy Casper Golf LLC.
cc: Members of the Board of Legislators & Staff
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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. January 4, 2006: In the business of the Common Council Tuesday evening, Mayor Joseph Delfino was sworn in for a third term as Mayor of White Plains by City Judge Jo Ann Friia. Thomas Roach was sworn in for his second term as Common Councilman, Glen Hockley was sworn in for his first full term as councilman, and Rita Malmud for her fifth term as Common Councilperson.
America’s Favorite Mayor Raises His Right and Places His Hand on The Bible for a Third Term last night. Photo, WPCNR News.
Malmud as predicted yesterday afternoon by the CitizeNetReporter was elected Common Council President by a vote of 5-2, Councilmen Hockley and Bernstein demurring, over Councilman Arnold Bernstein, who spoke on his own behalf, after nomination by Glen Hockley. Bernstein appeared to have his colleagues and the Mayor squirming in their seats when he said,
“I find Councilwoman Malmud, who has served several terms as president competing for the position (of Council President). Selecting a Council President is not supposed to be a popularity contest or subject to machinations of any kind for any reason. There is precedent, a process and tradition to be honored and not in the breech… I have yet to receive a satisfactory or creditable explanation from any of my colleagues, ANY of my colleagues, as to why my right is being challenged. Now I know there was an exception 14 years ago but I have no idea of the reason and interestingly enough it happened to Ms. Malmud. It seems to me that there has to be a serious reason for an exception. I have not been given a straight answer from my colleagues, as to why this is an appropriate time to break with precedent.”
Arnold Bernstein, Making his Speech to the Common Council Colleagues last night. Glen Hockley, left, observes. Photo, WPCNR News.
Nevertheless, Councilman Roach, said it was not a given that those who had not served as Council President should have the position, and that he himself who received the Council Presidency two years ago (after just two years in office), was surprised to be elected. Roach proceeded to nominate Councilwoman Malmud.
Councilman Boykin noted that several councilpersons in their first term had never served as Council President, notably Bill Brown and William King. Neither Mr. Roach nor Mr. Boykin said why Ms. Malmud was more qualified than Mr. Bernstein, or why they were voting her in. The Common Council President is the city officer who succeeds the Mayor should the Mayor, for any reason, cannot serve.
A rejected Councilman Bernstein, far right, looks on, as Judge Friia swears in Rita Malmud as Council President, her second term as Council President in 6 years. She held the office in 2001-2002. Mr. Boykin from 2003-2004, and Mr. Roach, 2004-2005. Photo, WPCNR News.
After the council meeting, all councilpersons with the exception of Robert Greer, (who had to leave halfway through the televised council meeting), shared a rich, calorie-packed chocolate ice cream cake with the Mayor in the Mayor’s Conference Room in a most convivial manner.
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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. January 4, 2006. UPDATED 8:16 A.M. E.S.T.: The public hearings on the Hale Avenue Condominiums on both corners of Hale & Maple Avenues, and the Metropolitan condominium targeted for DeKalb Avenue and Maple received enthusiastic endorsement by the Carhart Neighborhood Association Tuesday evening in the first Council meeting of the new year. The Metropolitan project (89 Units) seems to be cruising for a March approval with no problems on the horizon.
Carhart President Robert Vogel said the association endorsed both projects, and praised Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel in bringing the developers and the neighbors together. Hearings on all three projects were adjourned to February 6. Approvals may very well come as early as March.
The Metropolitan with 89 Condo units in 12 stories, as it appears facing Maple Avenue (bottom of picture), and as it appears on DeKalb Avenue (top picture). Photo, WPCNR News.
The Hale Avenue condos (shown in an overhead here on either side of Hale Avenue) are not out of the woods yet. The 57 units planned at 111 Hale and 70 in 114 Hale, both 10 story buildings dropping to six stories along both sides of Hale Ave )were put on notice by the Common Council, (speared by Rita Malmud), that the Council would look upon the Hale Avenue condos more favorably if the developer built his affordable housing units instead of paying a “fee in lieu of.” A feature of the development is the green traffic island planned for the middle of Hale Avenue. Photo by WPCNR News.
The spokesperson for the development group, Hale LLC said that if they were able to purchase a home adjacent to the west building, which they said they were attempting to purchase for an independent appraised price from the owner, they would be more able to build the affordable housing apartments. The owner has not decided whether to take the Hale LLC offer on the house.
What does a home cost in White Plains? The lowest priced home (4 Bedroom, 1 bath) currently on the market in White Plains is on Denison Street and Orawauppum Street off South Lexington Avenue and is priced at $399,600. The highest priced home is in the Rolling Ridge Road area, priced at $2.65 Million.
During the public hearing, former Councilperson Mary Ann Keenan expressed her opinion that the approval of the Hale projects would start a real estate speculation boom in the Carhart neighborhood, one of the last “affordable” neighborhoods in the city. In the Pinnacle hearing that followed, Mark Weingarten, spokesperson for the Ginsburg Development Group rejected Ms. Keenan’s fears, saying the city had its 2-family lot zoning to project the neighborhood against such incursions by speculators.
The Pinnacle as seen from across City Place (standing at entrance to Target). Photo, WPCNR News.
The Pinnacle presented its Draft Environmental Impact Statement showing the project as it would be constructed to the public for the first time since Martin Ginsberg had struck an accommodation with Cappelli Enterprises in June to build Louis Cappelli’s affordable housing units Cappelli owes the city for the Trump Tower and his 221 Main project. The Pin received lavish praise from the Common Council for its design, with only two residents complaining about the project. Of course, The approval of The Pinnacle has to be executed in order for Mr. Cappelli to receive his certificate of occupancy for 221 Main, so approval of that project is essentially assured.
The Pinnacle Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The project picture shows the Affordable Housing consist of 50 units at the left, and The 23 Story, 230 foot, Pinnacle condominium towers at the right. Retail lines the front of the project on Main Street. The DEIS notes only two more school children would come to the district as a result of the project, and that there would be no impact on traffic, and that it would add $2 Million in property taxes for the city and school district, and $563.000 in sales taxes. Photo, WPCNR News.
The pungent odor of White Plains sewage floated figuratively to the surface in the course of the public comments on the Pinnacle, when Dan Seidel produced a letter quoting the Department of Public Works Commissioner that upgrading of the Broadway and Main Street sewer line had to be executed to be able to handle the sewage from The Pinnacle.
Mayor Delfino, when asked by the CitizNetReporter what had to be done to the sewer, relining or new pipes, and what specifically Public Works Commissioner Jospeph Nicoletti recommends, the Mayor said “I don’t know, but whatever needs to be done we’ll do it. Why would you think we would build a building and not do what has to be done?”
The Pinnacle from the steps of City Hall, looking across Main Street. Photo, WPCNR News.
The affordable housing component, foreground, looking West down Main Street. Photo by WPCNR News.
The simulated White Plains skyline looking West from Westchester Avenue gateway. The Pin is the second building from right. Photo, WPCNR News.
The only issue raised by the Common Council was the one way-in, one-way-out parking setup where cars enter and exit the Pin on Main Street. Councilman Glen Hockley called the Pinnacle the most beautiful, elegant building in White Plains and suggested a ball be suspended at the top to give a permanent ball-drop device for New Year’s Eve.
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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER.
According to the “backup material,” the Council will approve $1,366,354 in certioraris on the One North Broadway/455 Hamilton Building, a $2.6 Million settlement to the New York City Water Board, and a $600,000 subsidy to build affordable condominium housing at 7 Minerva Place.
This evening Glen Hockley, Rita Malmud and Tom Roach will be sworn in for new terms on the Common Council and a new Common Council President will be nominated and elected. WPCNR has learned that Rita Malmud, according to our source, “has the votes” to become Common Council President by a 5-2 margin, usurping Councilman Arnold Bernstein who is the only councilperson who has not held the Presidency.
Public hearing will be held on the
WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER.
The Council will also approve $1,366,354 in certioraris on the One North Broadway/455 Hamilton Building
This evening Glen Hockley, Rita Malmud and Tom Roach will be sworn in for new terms on the Common Council and a new Common Council President will be nominated and elected. WPCNR has learned that Rita Malmud, according to our source, “has the votes” to become Common Council President by a 5-2 margin, usurping Councilman Arnold Bernstein who is the only councilperson who has not held the Presidency.
Public hearing will be held on the
The council is also scheduled to approve a $600,000 city subsidizing of affordable condominium housing on
The Complete Agenda:
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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey.
9. South Lex Revitalization.
According to the Mayor the city’s
10. Affordable Housing.
The Lake Street Townhouses, the South Kensico Avenue Senior housing project, senior housing on the post office site are all interesting in that there is no movement on them at this time. More to the point, the city funded the Lake Street Townhouses and the
11.The
Next week, the Board of Education continues consideration of how much of their school facilities renovation and infrastructure plan (the plan is mandated by the state but implementation of recommendations is not required) they want to do. The cost has been stripped down to a “bare bones” $67.5 Million, approximately $40 million of that is earmarked for a redo or a completely new
12. 40 Story Development Parcels in the Downtown.
The current new zoning for the downtown core provides for limitations on heights of buildings limiting 40 story buildings to assemblages of 300,000 Square Feet. Should some developers acquire properties to string together the required square footage, the prospect of more 40-story buildings in the downtown will be a spectre the Common Council will have to consider.
13. Wal-Mart Impact.
The nation’s number one retailer is expected to open doors on
14. The Transit System.
Mayor Delfino announced in the wake of Election Night triumph that a transit system, rubber-wheeled, of course, will be the next step in the downtown. How this system is planned, operated and paid for will be a significant issue. Frequency of stops and locations of stops has to be seriously considered, otherwise, it will fail like all other transit systems in the city have failed.
15. Planning
In the next month or so, the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee will submit its final report to the Common Council, and the Citizens Plan Committee will weigh in saying it does not go far enough. However, the vagueness of Comprehensive Plan Review Committee efforts to date as well as the criticisms of their opponents underscores a problem. No one has said specifically, “well, we need more supermarkets, we need a park here, a school there, a mall here, an arena here,” concrete planning suggestions. It is not all about zoning or sketchy building heights. Any planning has to consider what should go here, what do we need, who is coming to live in the city – questions like that – including demographics and educational needs. Planning to date does not address this in a specific way. There is no futuristic model of the city on display.
16. Housing & Population Demographics.
In November, 2005, according to a local realtor, the median price of a single family home in
Will apartments and condominiums continue to rent and sell briskly? Will the housing prices in
The