White Plains Real Estate Continues to BOOM — One North Broadway & 445 Ham Sold.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. December 25, 2004: Landmark office buildings at One North Broadway (former home of Merrill Lynch, now home to New York Sports Club), and 445 Hamilton Avenue,  have been sold by MetLife earlier this week , reports John Jordan, roving business reporter,  for $60 Million according to internet postings this morning. The properties were purchased by Heyman Properties of Westport, Connecticut, which outbid Ivy Equites Properties, owners of The Shoppes on Main for the office complexes.

 


 

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DAY

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WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. December 25, 2004: This Christmas Day photo was captured just before dawn:



NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING, NOT EVEN A CAT. Photo by the WPCNR Roving Photographer.

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Dormitory Authority Pats Itself on the Back for Doing So Well for New York State

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WPCNR MYSTERIES OF ALBANY. December 24, 2004: Adding further evidence of the fiduciary health of the Dormitory Authority of New York State is an advance copy of a news release, obtained by WPCNR, scheduled for release in January. It points out that the dormitory authority appears to be a darling of the investment banking set. The Dormitory Authority  was Number Three in Municipal Bonds in 2003 and issued  $6 Billion in bonds that year, bonding more than any other issuer in the country. The flushness of the Dormitory Authority deepends the mystery of why the Authority strung out Westchester County for help in rebuilding the Westchester County Courthouse last year at considerable pain to Westchester taxpayers, and why St. Agnes was deemed forecloseable. Who made that decision?


Here is the copy of that release:



FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Monday, January 5, 2004 

DASNY No. 3 in Bond Sales The Dormitory Authority was the third-largest issuer of municipal bonds for the year 2003, according to The Bond Buyer, a financial newspaper. 

With bond issues totaling more than $6 billion, the Dormitory Authority trailed on the states of Illinois and California in volume.

However, the Dormitory Authority went to market more often than any other issuer – with 48 issues. New York City was a distant second with 28 issues. 

Rank Issuer Amount Issues 1 Illinois (State of)  $11,573.0 4 2 California (State of) 7,868.6 5 3

Dormitory Authority of the State of New York 6,039.0 48 4 New York City   5,909.7 28 5 

Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp., Calif.  5,572.3 3 6 New York Tobacco Settlement Finance Corp.  4,551.1 10 7

Massachusetts (Commonwealth of) 2,983.0 6 8 Connecticut (State of) 2,787.8 26 9

Los Angeles Unified School District, Calif.  2,739.2 4 10 Wisconsin (State of) 2,585.5 9

For more information, contact Press Officer Claudia Hutton at (518) 257 3382, or CHutton@dasny.org.

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Dormitory Authority Reports It Is Way in the Money.

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WPCNR MYSTERIES OF ALBANY. Special to the CitizeNetReporter. December 24, 2004: The New York State Dormitory Authority has great news in its annual report. The state agency that foreclosed on St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains because the hospital had defaulted on its mortgage, is doing very nicely. The question is why didn’t they want to save St. Agnes? The Dormitory Authority is doing very nicely indeed according to the following document:


A look at the introductory letter for the Dormitory Authority’s 2004 Annual Report obtained by the White Plains CitizeNetReporter speaks for itself. Highlights of that report are in the covering letter written to the Governor by the Authority’s Chairman, Gail Gordon, and its Executive Director Mayanne Gridley.


Here is the covering letter from the 2004 Annual Report of the state’s bankroller:


Letter From Gail H. Gordon, Chair and Maryanne Gridley, Executive Director

Dear Governor Pataki and Distinguished Leaders:

We are pleased to present the 2004 Annual Report of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. This Annual Report highlights the activities of the Dormitory Authority as it finishes its 60th year of providing low-cost access to capital financing and a full range of construction project management services.

The Dormitory Authority served New York’s education and health-care institutions and other non-profit organizations by issuing $6.0 billion in bonds during the 2003-04 fiscal year, ending with an outstanding bond portfolio of $31.2 billion. Our Tax-Exempt Equipment Leasing Program, the largest in the nation, executed more than $151.0 million in leases for our customers’ equipment needs during the year, with an average savings of nearly $100,000 over commerical financing for every $1 million financed.

Construction expenditures for projects under Dormitory Authority management were $889.5 million in 2003-04, for new hospital, laboratory and high-technology projects, as well as academic buildings and thousands of new dormitory beds. As the fiscal year ended, we were continuing major modernization projects at New York City public hospitals, construction of several new dormitories for the State University and renovations to City University academic space. We were pouring the foundation for a new state-of-the-art DNA laboratory for New York City, erecting the steel framework at the Buffalo Life Sciences Center, and completing new and renovated court facilities. In total, we have more than 600 capital projects worth $4.95 billion in our construction pipeline.

During the fiscal year, the Authority completed work on two major management initiatives to help clients and the contractors who are our partners.

An integration project to allow our financial management system to share information with our construction project management system will improve and standardize reporting on a project’s progress. The integration permits data to be synchronized without cost-inefficient duplicate data entry. This integration means that all projects will benefit from more timely problem-solving, more consistent project reporting, and more readily available information for Dormitory Authority managers and our clients.

In addition, the Authority is implementing recommendations from an internal task force, which, after consulting with the General Building Contractors and the Northeastern Subcontractors Association, developed a new protocol to improve the review and payment for revisions in the scope of work.

Thanks to this collaboration, we are designing a system to track the progress of change orders and post the information on our Website. This system will expedite payment of the undisputed portions of a change order, authorize project managers to approve minor change orders, and require establishment of internal teams of employees to promptly close out projects and make final payments. These changes will make construction and contracting processes more efficient. Expedited payment of funds owed to contractors should increase competition for Dormitory Authority projects, with the resulting savings passed along to our customers.

The Dormitory Authority has been a proud participant in Governor Pataki’s continuing drive to diversify the State’s bond portfolio. As a means of lowering borrowing costs, variable rate bonds, subject to interest-rate exchange agreements (known as swaps), were issued in connection with the $1.5 billion refinancing of City University bonds and the $1.6 billion refinancing of the State’s mental hygiene facilities bonds. Additionally, $264.8 million in State University bonds, $41.9 million in State Department of Health bonds and $26.2 million in State Education Department bonds were sold to refinance higher rate bonds. These bond sales have provided major savings to the State of nearly $264.5 million on a present-value basis, resulting from reduced debt service costs. The release of reserve and other funds through refinancings and the achievement of more favorable interest rates also benefit taxpayers.

The Board and the staff of the Dormitory Authority remain dedicated to our mission and to the highest standards of corporate governance. We thank you, Governor Pataki, and members of the Legislature for your support, and we thank our employees for their dedication to serving the people of New York.

Very truly yours,

Gail H. Gordon, Chair

Maryanne Gridley, Executive Director

In our 60th year, the Authority:
    •     sold $6.03 billion in bonds, ending with a $31.2 billion portfolio
    •     sold $1.44 billion in bonds for new projects and $4.59 billion for refinancings
    •     saved customers $317.9 million through refinancings
    •     invested $889 million in construction projects, with a pipeline of $4.95 billion for projects in planning, design or construction
    •     leased $151 million in high-tech equipment at tax-exempt rates.

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Twas Two Days Before Christmas

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINSER. By the News Bard. December 24, 2004: WPCNR’s poet in residence has been moved by the events of the week and the holiday season, as a satiric ode to the holiday season, he presents this Homeric epic:


Twas Two Days Before Christmas.


By the News Bard.


 


It was two days before Christmas.


All through the city, red hoods starved  the hungry meters,


Meaning free parking for desperate drivers on prowl through traffic mess.


Shoppers and flickers gridlocked to City Center hall


To dine at Applebee’s and partake of seafood legal, or


Pasta a la Zanaro, or burg and shake at Brooklyn’s Famous.


While in sleepy Southend, attempting to wake from a long winter’s nap,


A stealthy Blue and White delivered a lone packet


Of secret agenda to summon the Mayor’s trusty council team here.


Delivering its present to the far flung council citywide.


One to Rita, another to Arnie, a copy to Ben and Tom again


A sheath to Larry and notification to Greer.


 


The Delfino team was scratching their heads trying to make sense of


News of several ordinances mostly routine,


Except for one– a site plan amendment that meant that Saint Louis


Would soon be here.


 


Days after mysterious Super Donor had saved Samaritan House’s own.


Media buzzed with the news, Saint Louis is coming to town.


What does he want they cried? More height, more parking, more units, more rights,


The entire West Side, what gifts will he bring to further White Plains renown?


As the sun came down, all knew that Saint Louis was coming on down.


 


Up the marble steps of ancient city hall he swept lead by his


Coursers, Bruce and Mark and loyal designers


I knew him in an instant from the cut of his clothes.  


 


The sheen of his silver mane, reflected the shine of moonglow


His suit black as midnight, impeccable style, everybody knows


It must be the Super Developer, echoes through the rotunda rose.


 


What does he have for the good people of White Plains was the bewildered media call.


Ascending the circular marble stair festooned with evergreen


The charcoal clad purveyor of jobs, monuments and sumptuous apartments and merchants dreams


A tide of tailored entourage surged to the cherry wood sepulcher of the ancient old hall.


 


The right jolly old Delfino called the gathering of his men together,


Warming up to gift giving about to begin with several votes on public hearings


But no one was hearing. All eyes were on Saint Louis and his black bag


Of presents for the council eagerly awaiting their gifts.


 


Placing his elegant hands together, bidding the loyal Bruce Berg


Extract visions of sugar plums and sales taxes and assessments


 Saint Louis bestowed upon the rapt glowing council


The gifts of the season:  Two stylish monoliths to the heavens above.


 


Filled with a cornucopia of condos, duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes


With a sprawl of hotel connecting the spires of blue hue,


Inside, perhaps a convention center, a swank lounge with a video poker game or two?


 


With underground parking levels to China and Two, not three


Majestic monoliths to Heaven 400 feet above the city floor.


He flourished a model that brought visions of affordable housing


Right across from Starbucks, with Bar Building mysteriously missing


As the visions danced in Councilpersons’ heads: He said  “Here is all I will do for You”


 


Overwhelmed by the vision, cameras flashed,


Elegant Reporter Elan kept score with vigilance.


The rare appearance of Saint Louis, the spirit of Christmas future,


Bestowed his presents.


He basked in councilpersons’ daze at the elimination of an election issue long endured:


 


Saint Louis’ legacy of new housing for multitudes shut out by median homes priced out of sight.


All were dazzled by the Super Developer’s  blue eyes’ glow,  except the poor


Ginsburgs who wondered “Where are the gifts for us? What have you conjured?”


 


Urging the Ginsburgs not to fear, as their counsel Bill pleaded coolly and plain


Saint Louis raised his calm hand, in reassuring clear voice echoing in the rotunda marble


As sure as the white of fresh fallen snow across Renaissance Fountain


He opined, “Go to the Common Council, for they are the fairest in the land,


Ask them for the use of these gifts and join in my plan.”


 


Then with a nod to the jolly Mayor Joe, pleased with the Christmas visit,


Bidding adieu to the kind and gentle Paul, the Czarina of Zoning Zen, dashing Rick of the BID,


Barrister Ed, and the Statuesque Solicitoress, Commissioner Mike and Assessing Eydie, he gathered his


Dreams and strode into night as councilpersons looked to him with gratitude for what he did.


 


As visions of new White Plains towers forever rising for decades ahead


Danced in their heads, the council knew for White Plains Christmas had come.


Saying his goodbyes, his coursers sweeping down the rotunda grand staircase,


 Flying to Trotters ahead, the trusty Berg the facilitating Mark,


The Magic of Saint Louis had brought to City Hall the dreams men chase.


 


They heard Saint Louis call as he lead the way to a


Trotters Aged Steak, and mug of holiday cheer


Under the bright holiday moonlight


“Merry Christmas to White Plains and to all a good night!”

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Ginsburg Creating New Pinnacle Alternative Without Nook/Garage Easement in Jan.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. December 23, 2004.: A spokesperson for the Ginsburg Development Corporation, Westchester’s largest residential developer,  gave Martin Ginsburg’s reaction to the Louis Cappelli “New 221 Main” proposal last night.


They are going to take up Louis Cappelli’s suggestion last night and ask the council to consider a new Pinnacle configuration in January, the direction of which up, down or sideways is being created. Their spokesman disclosed that the new configuration would not need the use of any Louis Cappelli real estate.


 


 Bill Madden, speaking for Mr. Martin Ginsburgh said Ginsburgh Development was prepared to build his  Pinnacle project without inclusion of the 240 Main Street (Corner Nook-Bookstore-Deli) property, and also without need for 100,000 square feet of easement adjacent to the City Center garage. According to the way the direction the company is moving, Madden said the company no longer need the two properties to make the project work.


“We’re considering possibilities,” Madden said.


Mr. Madden told WPCNR, Ginsburgh was continuing to negotiate with Mr. Cappelli, but was moving on developing a redesign of the project which he said the company would present to the Common Council in January. “We intend to seek the same height bonus, which we originally suggested, in exchange for affordable housing,” Madden said. Asked if that meant an increase in height, Madden said the proposal had not been completed yet.


Asked if Ginsburgh was going to take the building up to 400 to 500 feet, (making it taller than Trump Tower at City Center) Madden declined to comment. Louis Cappelli’s main objection to the Ginsburgh Pinnacle project is that it would block the views to the East North East of Trump Tower residents. Wednesday evening, Cappelli challenged the Ginsburgh contingent, there to observe, to lower the spire 50 feet to 235 feet and he’d be comfortbale with that.


 WPCNR asked if the new proposal coming in January would require a special permit. A special permit would be required especially if Ginsburgh wanted to take the building higher than 280 feet (where the present spire stops).  Madden said they did not know at the present time if a Special Permit was needed because alternatives were being examined.


Asked if Ginsburgh Development had received offers on the old A & P Main Street property where the Pinnacle is proposed. Madden said, “We’re Westchester’s largest residential developer. We build things. We don’t sell.”

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The Phantom Arrives at the City Center for Holiday Week

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WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. From National Amusements. December 23, 2004: The Phantom of the Opera arrives at City Center Cinema De Lux on Main Street along with Meet the Fockers, the sequel to Meet the Parents.


This duo is joined by new entries, Flight of the Phoenix, Life Aquatic, and Fat Albert. The showtimes and storylines of this week’s new flicks:


MEET THE FOCKERS — After a less than auspicious first meeting with his future father-in-law (Robert DeNiro), it’s time for Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) to introduce his own equally eccentric parents (Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman) in this hilarious sequel to MEET THE PARENTS. Rated PG-13

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER”S THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA — Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular musical comes to the big screen in this spectacular new film about a mysterious phantom who lives beneath the Paris Opera House and the beautiful young opera singer who is the object of his love. Rated PG-13

FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX — An action-adventure in which a group of air crash survivors are stranded in a Mongolian desert with no chance of rescue. Facing a brutal environment, dwindling resources and an attack by desert smugglers, their only chance of survival is to somehow build a new plane from the wreckage. Rated PG-13

OPENING CHRISTMAS DAY

THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU — Director Wes Anderson’s (RUSHMORE) latest comedy about an eccentric oceanographer seeking revenge on a shark which hurt one of his comrades. Stars Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Angelica Huston. Rated R

FAT ALBERT — The cartoon kids of the hit 1970s series come to life in this family comedy about a goofy bunch of teen boys who live, laugh and learn with each other on the streets of Philadelphia. Stars Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson as Albert. Rated PG

DARKNESS — Three weeks ago, just before the lunar eclipse, American teenager Regina and her family moved into a charming old house in the remote Spanish countryside. Since then, nothing has been the same. Day by day, a strange force seems to be pulling the family apart and Regina is the only one brave enough to search for answers. Now darkness is closing in on Regina’s family, and she’s their only chance for survival. Rated PG-13.


Thursday, December 23, 2004  
National Treasure (PG) –1:05; 3:55; 7:10; 9:55 pm. ;
Closer (R) –12:25; 3:00; 5:25; 7:55; 10:25 pm. ;
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera (PG-13) –12:00; 3:15; 6:30; 9:40 pm. ;
Flight of the Phoenix (PG-13) –1:50; 4:40; 7:25; 10:15 pm. ;
Christmas With the Kranks (PG) –12:50; 3:10; 5:30; 7:50; 10:10 pm. ;
Finding Neverland (PG) –12:10; 2:15; 4:35; 7:05; 9:15 pm. ;
Spanglish (PG-13) –12:45; 3:45; 6:40; 9:50 pm. ;
Meet the Fockers (PG-13) –1:55; 4:35; 5:05; 7:15; 7:45; 9:55 pm. ;
Blade: Trinity (R) –12:55; 3:30; 6:20; 9:20 pm. ;
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (PG) –12:00; 2:30; 5:00; 7:30; 10:05 pm. ;
Ocean’s Twelve (PG-13) –12:35; 3:35; 6:50; 9:45 pm. ;
Meet the Fockers **(PG-13) –1:25; 4:05; 6:45; 9:25 pm. ;
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events **(PG) –2:00; 4:30; 7:00; 9:35 pm. ;
Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (G) –12:40; 2:55; 5:15; 7:40; 10:00 pm. ;
House of Flying Daggers (PG-13) –12:00; 2:30; 10:20 pm. ;

Friday, December 24, 2004  
House of Flying Daggers (PG-13) –12:00; 2:30 pm. ;
Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (G) –10:20 am; 12:40; 2:55; 5:15; 7:40 pm. ;
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events **(PG) –11:30 am; 2:00; 4:30; 7:00 pm. ;
Meet the Fockers **(PG-13) –10:45 am; 1:25; 4:05; 6:45 pm. ;
Ocean’s Twelve (PG-13) –12:35; 3:35; 6:50 pm. ;
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (PG) –12:00; 2:30; 5:00; 7:30 pm. ;
Blade: Trinity (R) –12:55; 3:30; 6:20 pm. ;
Meet the Fockers (PG-13) –11:15 am; 1:55; 4:35; 5:05; 7:15; 7:45 pm. ;
Spanglish (PG-13) –12:45; 3:45; 6:40 pm. ;
Christmas With the Kranks (PG) –10:20 am; 12:50; 3:10; 5:30; 7:50 pm. ;
Finding Neverland (PG) –12:10; 2:15; 4:35; 7:05 pm. ;
Flight of the Phoenix (PG-13) –11:10 am; 1:50; 4:40; 7:25 pm. ;
Closer (R) –12:25; 3:00; 5:25; 7:55 pm. ;
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera (PG-13) –12:00; 3:15; 6:30 pm. ;
National Treasure (PG) –10:15 am; 1:05; 3:55; 7:10 pm. ;

Saturday, December 25, 2004  
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera (PG-13) –12:05; 3:15; 6:30; 9:40 pm; 12:35 am. ;
Closer (R) –12:25; 3:00; 5:25; 7:55; 10:25 pm; 12:45 am. ;
Flight of the Phoenix (PG-13) –11:10 am; 1:50; 4:40; 7:20; 9:50 pm; 12:15 am. ;
Fat Albert (PG) –10:15 am; 12:35; 3:00; 5:25; 7:50; 10:15 pm; 12:35 am. ;
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (R) –10:30 am; 1:10; 3:50; 6:25; 9:10; 11:45 pm. ;
Spanglish (PG-13) –12:45; 3:45; 6:40; 9:30 pm; 12:20 am. ;
Meet the Fockers (PG-13) –11:15 am; 1:55; 4:35; 5:05; 7:15; 7:45; 9:55 pm; 12:30 am. ;
Blade: Trinity (R) –10:20 am; 12:55; 3:30; 6:20; 9:00; 11:50 pm. ;
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (PG) –12:00; 2:30; 5:00; 7:30; 10:05 pm. ;
The Aviator (PG-13) –11:30 am; 3:05; 6:30; 10:10 pm. ;
Meet the Fockers **(PG-13) –10:45 am; 1:25; 4:05; 6:45; 9:25 pm; 12:00 am. ;
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events **(PG) –11:30 am; 2:00; 4:30; 7:00; 9:35 pm; 12:05 am. ;
Ocean’s Twelve (PG-13) –12:35; 3:35; 6:50; 9:45 pm; 12:20 am. ;
Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (G) –10:20 am;

Free! Elena Sassower, The White Plains 1 Comes Home Today.

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  WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. From Center for Judicial Accountability. (Edited)December 22, 2004:  As exclusively reported for the last six months only by The White Plains CitizeNetReporter,  the jail term of  White Plains own Elena Ruth Sassower, Coordinator and Cofounder of the Center for Judicial Accountability in the city, ends Thursday.


She returns home to White Plains today upon her scheduled release from spending six months in the District of Columbia Jail at 1901 E Street, SE Washington DC. for conviction of a non-violent, non-felony “Disruption of Congress” charge. Ms. Sassower has been in jail since June 28.



BREAK OUT THE YELLOW RIBBONS. Elena Sassower comes home today. Photo, Courtesy, Center for Judicial Accountability.


The charge was based on Ms. Sassower’s 23-word question posed on the adjournment of a May 22, 2003 Senate Judiciary Committee Public Hearing, which upon utterance caused Chairman of the Committee Saxby Chambliss to direct DC Capitol Police to arrest her.


 


That question was:   Mr. Chairman, there is citizen opposition to Judge Wesley based on his documented corruption as a New York Court of Appeals judge. May I testify?”


 


To the Dungeon With Her.


 


Ms. Sassower was removed from the Meeting Room, handcuffed, arrested, and incarcerated incommunicado for 21 hours before she was brought before a Magistrate, charged with “Disruption of Congress.”


 


Sassower was there that day to protest the appointment of Judge Wesley, one of five judicial nominees of President Bush, whose nominations were before the Senate Judiciary Committee.


 


Wesley’s was a lifetime appointment to a federal judgeship on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which reviews federal district court appeals, including from New York. All five were recommended for confirmation at a two hour hearing dubbed by the Center for Judicial Accountability as a  “rubber stamp” hearing.


 


Ms. Sassower’s voice was  the lone voice expressed in intended opposition.


 


Doris L. Sassower, Cofounder and Director of the Center, says of her daughter’s prison stay, “It’s a police state mentality that would permit a law-abiding public advocate like Elena to be arrested here in America, convicted, and jailed for six months for respectfully asking to testify in opposition to proposed governmental action at a Congressional public hearing. That’s what the First Amendment was designed to protect. Such facts required dismissal of the criminal case.”


 


George McDermott, a citizens’ rights activist, former Congressional candidate, and member of the press, who attended Ms. Sassower’s trial, said he “never saw anything so unfair in my life” and “could not believe he was in an American courtroom.”


 


 The internationally known D.C. law firm of Lewin & Lewin is representing Ms. Sassower pro bono and will be filing an appeal from her conviction in the D.C. Court of Appeals.   


Only two other newspapers in the country reported on Ms. Sassower’s plight  after the CitizeNetReporter. 


One was The Philadelphia Inquirer. Reporters were discouraged by the jail from interviewing Ms. Sassower. Major television network news departments ignored the story.


The New York Times only recently did a story and reported the sequence of the incident incorrectly, with a tone that said in effect, Ms. Sassower had it coming because she was such a gadfly.

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400 Feet And Rising! Mr. C Talks 2 Spires at 221; Will Build Affordable Housing

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. December 22, 2004, UPDATED WITH EXCLUSIVE FOTOS, 12:30 A.M. E.S.T.: As reported earlier today by WPCNR,  Louis Cappelli introduced a dramatic redesign for his 221 Main Street Hotel & Condoplex to the Common Council Wednesday evening. He proposed cutting the proposal back to 2, taller spires, eliminating the office building/headquarters component. The twin spires would still together house 290 condominium units, above a 175-room luxury hotel, and office suite combination.



THE BIG SHOW: Louis Cappelli Introduces “The New 221 Main Hotel-Condoplex,” Calling for towers to soar to 399 feet above Main Street. Photo by WPCNR News.


Mr. Cappelli proposed raising the heights  of the twins  from 350 feet to 399 feet above Main Street to provide more appealing “view corridors” and 35% more  separation between the two. 





Cappelli announced he was prepared to begin the project in the third week in January by demolitioning the Bar Building annex, which has one tenant left in it. The new design at this time appears to be headed to the Common Council as a site plan amendment.


 



IN WITH THE NEW. OUT WITH THE OLD: Mr.Cappelli began his presentation contrasting the new design (left) with the former three-tower setup at the right. The Bar Building is at the lower right of the New model and the old model. On the easel in background is the affordable housing Mr. Cappelli proposes for the 189 Main Street property he has just acquired where he offers to build 41 units of “affordable housing” in return for the Common Council agreeing to the new 399 foot height of the new twin spires. Photo by WPCNR News.



THE NEW MAIN STREET VIEW LOOKING DUE EAST DOWN MAIN: Mr. Cappelli showcased this computerized graphic showing “The New 221 Main” in perspective with the City Center (right) down Main Street. He said that the City Center is on slightly higher elevation enabling the twin spires to appear only 25 feet higher than the City Center rather than 49 feet.  The white building in the center of your picture is the Bar Building. Photo by WPCNR News.


Louis Cappelli, Developer of Affordable Housing


The Super Developer, rapidly acquiring a reputation also as “The Super Donor,” sweetened the proposal by offering a unique way to satisfy his obligation to either build or donote money to the city affordable housing fund to satisfy the obigation he has to provide  6% of his units as affordable housing.


He said he had acquired the building across Court Street, 189 Main Street where Western Union has an office, (scene of a fire three weeks ago).



AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON MAIN at new Court Street Extension. You are looking at Mr. Cappelli’s 41-units of housing, a 7-story complex he proposes from your table at Starbucks.The Bar Building is behind the tree. Photo by WPCNR News.


If Cappelli can purchase the building next to 189 Main, he will build 41 units of affordable housing for approximately $10 Million, instead of paying $1.3 Million to the city. The affordable housing marketing position would be up to the Common Council to choose whether it be rental or condo.


If he could not purchase the second building next to the Western Union Building, (for which he said he was in negotiations), he’d build the balance of the 41 affordable housing units on the Donut Nook/Main Street Bookstore/ Deli site on 240 Main Street at City Place.


This fallback location to build affordable housing would effectively kill The Pinnacle project. 


Goodbye Office Building.


Cappelli said he would reduce the office component to 150,000 square feet from 310,000 square feet, previously planned for the “office headquarters” that was to be the third building of the 890,000 square feet he has to develop on 221. The Office headquarters portion would be folded in to the second 400 foot tower.



THE STAR: The New 221 Main, as seen looking East North East.  Bar Building would be at lower right, but is not part of the model. The spire on the left would contain 110,000 square feet of office, then transform to condominiums. The 175-suite Cappelli Hotel is located on the panoramic facade connecting the two spires. Photo by WPCNR News.


The Council Loves It.


The Common Council, with the exception of Mr. Delgado, was enthusiastic over the design and the affordable housing component proposed by Cappelli, and did not appear at all horrified by the proposed escalation in height of the towers.


Mr.Greer liked the height, and elicited the fact that the 35% more open space was “in the air.” Ms. Malmud reserved judgment on a number of issues, but said she liked the affordable housing on the Court Street corridor. Mr. Bernstein liked it because the reduction of the business piece reduced traffic impact. He also was cheered by the introduction of tangible affordable housing units.  Mr. Delgado reserved judgment, but suggested loosening up White Plains building codes to allow Mr.Cappelli to use more of the spires height to advantage.


Mr. Boykin wanted more affordable units from Mr. Cappelli, noting Cappelli would make more money from the higher-in-the-sky expanded condo suites. Cappelli pointed out he was going to take a $5 Million bath on building the affordable units, far more than if he would pay  if he paid the waiver fee of $1.3 Million. Boykin did not voice any strong objection to the escalated height.


 Mr. Roach was strong for the tangible affordable units that Mr. Cappelli was offering. No objection was voiced at all about the height change. Mayor Joseph Delfino had no comment, but presided with his benign presence.


Too Close together.


Mr. Cappelli said he had been looking at changing the project because of the foreshortened “view corridors” of the present 221 design. Now, he felt with changing the project to two towers, he had created 35% more open space above the 25% of open space the previous plan provided. Asked where the open space was, Cappelli, noted that it was “in the air” not on the ground.


Ginsburg Development Aghast.


The proposal to take the Nook-Book-Deli property at 240 Main on the East side of City Place, and take it “affordable,” (if Mr. Cappelli could not acquire the second building adjacent 189 Main, from the proposed hotel entrance, brought ashen looks to the faces of representatives of the Ginsburg Development Corporation observing.


They need that Cappelli-owned site along side City Place to build their 280-foot high ediface, The Pinnacle.


 



RUMBLE IN THE ROTUNDA: Bill Null, attorney for the Ginsburg Development Corporation, partially hidden, makes a point with Louis Cappelli, right, discussing the finer points of realty negotiation. Susan Elan, Reporter takes notes as the positions are stated.  Photo by WPCNR News.


A tense, heated discussion between Mr. Cappelli and the Ginsburg contingent ensued on the Rotunda after the presentation, exploring the issue.


Mr. Cappelli ended the informal Rotunda negotiation with the Ginsburgians, encouraging the Ginsburg party to ask the Common Council to condemn his(Cappelli’s) 240 Main Street property. (“Why don’t you?” were his words. 



 Cappelli said he simply wanted the Ginsburg organization to lower its spire 40 feet to bring it down to the 235 foot level  and they could build the building. However lowering the spire kills the design concept of the building in the Ginsburg camp’s opinion.


We’re not selling. I’m Not Buying.


WPCNR asked the Ginsburg contingent if they would consider selling their parcel and their rights to the A & P site to Mr. Cappelli, they said “No.” Mr. Cappelli denied interest in purchasing the Ginsburg property and helping them out of their dilemma. The Ginsburg attorney, William Null said the 240 Main Street propert was still in litigation.


But the announced detente between Mr. Cappelli and Martin Ginsburg of little more than a month ago to coexist appeared to be history, now that 240 Main Street, the lynchpin of their project, is in jeopardy of being snatched away forever, or at least until Mr. Ginsburg finds some legal leverage on either the Common Council or through the courts.


Views on the Big Night.



LOOKING NORTH ON MAIN STREET FROM HEAD OF MAMARONECK AVENUE. Photo by WPCNR News.



THE VIEW LOOKING WEST FROM GRACE CHURCH. Photo by WPCNR News.



Sense of Euphoria Drifted Engulfed the Mayor’s Office after Mr. Cappelli presented his show. Reporter collars Mark Weingarten, center and “The Busiest Building Commissioner in America,” Mike Gismondi. Photo by WPCNR News.

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Police Confirm 14 Lexus Headlight Thefts in Last Month. 3 Last Night.

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. December 22, 2004, UPDATED 12:20 P.M. E.S.T.: Inspector Daniel Jackson, spokesman for the White Plains Department of Public Safety confirmed to WPCNR that there have been a series of Lexus headlight thefts in White Plains parking garages and out of driveways in the last month. Jackson said the computer chip the thieves seek is only found on the Lexus 300 Series SUV model. To date, Jackson reports fourteen such thefts within the city limits, but says to his knowledge there have been over 100 such thefts countywide. “We first noticed this when the county crime analysis unit spotted the trend.”


A local body shop owner in White Plains noted to WPCNR that the headlights once removed or with the module taken out are “destroyed, they’re useless.” He also related that usually you cannot remove the headlights without bending or altering the fender housing the headlight console, The fender he said, if severely damanged, could cost the owner up to $10,000 to replace.


 The body man opined that usually the thieves use the computer chips to install headlights on their own cars. He said resale was not usually why the headlights were stolen. “They usaully want the modules for their own cars,” he said.


 


 


Jackson said the police department has notified LEXUS 300S  SUV owners in White Plains by flyer to be aware of the problem. He urges owners parking their cars overnight to garage their vehicles, and if they hear any suspicious noises from their driveway, to contact the police and they will investigate.


Lure of the Fast and Furious


The lure of the headlights for thieves, Jackson said is “a module or chip on the back of the Lexus headlight that allows you to install Xenon headlights in any vehicle, like a Honda civic. It’s the lure of the fast and furious hot cars.”


Jackson described Xenon headlights as “the really bright white ones you see on the road.”


WPCNR notes that Xenon Lights also come in varying colors of blue, red and green and work on a burning gas mechanism that produced a fierce brightness.


He said that thieves have taken entire  LEXUS headlights and sometimes just the modules, because, he said the module is easy to “pop out.” Asked why the tinkering with the headlights does not set off anti-theft devices, Jackson said, that unless a hood is opened or a door opened, removal of the headlight does not generate enough movement to set off the typical anti-theft device.


Another problem for police is that the computer modules being taken do not have serial numbers on them, which causes prosecution difficulties, in Mr. Jackson’s opinion. “They are expensive for the owner to replace,” Jackson said.


Residences and Garages Targets


To date, Jackson said, none of the thefts in White Plains have found owners surprising theives removing headlights.


Jackson said an arrest was made in Greenwhich of one perpetrator stealing a Lexus headlight, but that obviously did not deter Tuesday evening’s thefts in the city.


Thefts have occurred in the City Center, the TransCenter and the Hamilton Avenue garage.


DOT Traffic Law Violation.


Jackson, in the course of the interview said that xenon headlights are not legal on all vehicles in New York and if installed could result in a vehicle being out of compliance with the Department of Transporation law.


 

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