WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. February 2, 2004, Updated with new Photo Evolutionary Design Sequence 12:29 P.M. E.S.T.: Dorothy Finger, representing Frank and Anthony Longhitano, owners of the Bar Building on Main Street, announced Monday evening  to the Common Council that Louis Cappelli and the Longhitanos had reached an agreement on dollar amount, “an understanding” where  Mr. Cappelli will acquire the annex behind the Bar Building.

CAPPELLI-LONGHITANO DETENTE ANNOUNCED: Dorothy Finger announces historic agreement preserving Bar Building negotiated between Super Developer Louis Cappelli and Anthony and Frank Longhitano, by which Mr. Cappelli will acquire the annex behind the Bar Building. Photo by WPCNR News.

This surprise announcement appeared to clear the way for the “Super Developer” to erect his 221 Main Street Westin Hotel and Office complex around the Bar Building. Ms. Finger said, and Mr. Cappelli later confirmed that the annex acquisition had a 90-day time frame to be consummated. Ms. Finger in addition said that Mr. Cappelli would work with tenants displaced by the annex acquisition to find other office space in the city. The figure Mr. Cappelli will pay Mr. Longhitano was not disclosed.

NEW CAPPELLI HOTEL & OFFICE COMPLEX NOW INCORPORATES THE BAR BUILDING: Louis Cappelli unveiled his granite-faced hotel and office design for 221, which will take the Bar Building annex, but preserve and blend with the ambience of the 1920’s home of the Westchester County Bar Association, and the City Club, the beloved Bar Building.  Bar Building is on far right. Street on right is Main Street. Street in front of the hotel is the new 4-lane Court Street Extension. New skyscraper hotel and condominiums rises above the Bar Building. Office Building rises on left.  All parking is “below grade.” Photo by Cappelli Enterprises.

Mr. Cappelli presented a new design for his hotel complex which works around the Bar Building. It projects a compatible granite front that appears to blend with the Bar Building landmark. The Super Developer remarked  that the idea of razing the Bar Building had become too polarizing an issue for both the citizens of White Plains and the Common Council.

ANNEX TO GO: The Bar Building Annex (white addition at rear of the Bar Building). Looking South towards Starbucks, will be acquired and demolished by Louis Cappelli if he concludes an understanding with the Bar Building owners. Mr. Cappelli has agreed to help tenants relocate within the city of White Plains. Photo by WPCNR News

REJECTED: Mr. Cappelli said he refused to build around the Bar Building Annex, as shown in this rendering, going to the “White Granite Compromised” shown previously. Photo by Cappelli Enterprises.

LOST: Mr. Cappelli compromised, bowing to the wishes of the city, the Common Council and concerned citizens, choosing not to build this design of his hotel and office complex which would have razed the Bar Building and its annex. Photo by Cappelli Enterprises.

Cappelli urged the council to now move ahead with the approval process swiftly and to close the public hearing. Mayor Joseph Delfino noted that the issues of the Bar Building, eminent domain had now been eliminated as roadblocks to the project. Mr. Cappelli said the agreement with the Longhitanos was reached Monday.

Asked by WPCNR in the rotunda when relining of the Main Street sewer would happen as part of the Nicoletti Bypass proposal negotiated to handle the 221 Main project sewage,  Cappelli said that would happen when construction was started on 221, then later, amended that comment to say he would line the sewer “if required (by the city).” 

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 04. From Westchester for Dean Headquarters. February 1, 2004:   On Saturday, January 31, 2004, supporters of Howard Dean for President rallied at Renaissance Plaza in downtown White Plains.  Joined by union members of CSEA and IUPAT, Westchester for Dean demonstrated their strength in Westchester County. 

“I challenge any other campaign to demonstrate this kind of support in Westchester” said Brussel.  “This passion and heart-felt demonstration is what makes Dean the most electable candidate in this race.  Does support for any other candidate have depth or commitment?  Where is it?  Dean has inspired so many people to become active because of his honesty and dedication to making real change in America.  Dr. Dean has made people believe that they can change the Democratic Party and America.  And we will.”

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WPCNR CITY HALL CORRIDORS. January 29, 2004: The Mayor’s Executive Officer, George Gretsas, reported to WPCNR Thursday evening that Jerry Harris, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works, submitted his resignation Thursday. Mr. Gretsas said he was not expecting any other resignations from that department, and said only Mr. Harris could comment appropriately on his reasons for resigning.

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WPCNR ALBANY CORRESPONDENT. From the Office of District 89 Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. January 28, 2004: The governor’s latest plan to hike taxes by imposing tolls on hundreds of miles of New York’s highways threatens to cost the state jobs and impede economic development, Assemblyman Adam Bradley said today, reacting to a statement by the State Transportation Commissioner.

      “You’re not going to create jobs or attract people when you keep making it more expensive to live and work in New York like he has,” Assemblyman Bradley said. “With these new tolls, the only trucks on the road are going to be moving vans taking jobs out of state.”

    Bradley was responding to comments by State Transportation Commissioner Joseph Boardman, who said that the Pataki administration is considering new tolls on several currently toll-free interstates, including the Northway (I-87 from Albany to the Canadian border), I-88, I-84, Rte. 17, and possibly others.

    Bradley also took the governor to task for painting a rosy picture of his budget one week, and then turning around and letting his appointees and commissioners reveal the job cuts and tax hikes later.

    “The governor is turning the budget into a game of ‘Good Cop-Bad Cop,’” Bradley said. “The governor plays the part of the good cop, sticking to the script of his sunny budget proposal, and then, weeks later, he has his bad cop commissioners trot out fee increases and other proposals he knows New Yorkers won’t like.

“The governor has already proposed $1.5 billion in new taxes in his budget,” Bradley said. “He now wants to further nickel and dime the people of New York with these proposed toll increases.”