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)

Jobs added y-2-y first since 2007, Analyst Projects. WP Employment Down in Sept.

Posted on October 20, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR Labor & Neighbor. From Johny Nelson, Analyst, New York State Department of Labor, October 20, 2011 UPDATED October 26, 2011:

The Hudson Valley’s labor market continues to exhibit signs of life, as it rebounds from the worst economic downturn since the 1930’s. In September, the region’s private sector job count rose over the year by 9,100, or 1.3 percent, and is on track for its first annual increase since 2007.

In White Plains, unemployment went up by 100 persons in September according to NYS Labor Statistics. Through September in White Plains, 28,400 were reported as employed and 1,900 (6.2%) were unemployed. White Plains has beeb at about 2,000 unemployed on average through the first 9 months of 2011.

Educational and Health Services, the area’s largest employment sector added 4,100 jobs over the period, accounting for nearly half the private sector job gains. On the downside, the continued downward spiral of jobs in the public sector (-2,200) remains a concern.

Private sector employment in the Hudson Valley Region increased 9,100 or 1.3 percent, to 732,400 for the 12-month period ending September 2011.

Employment gains were recorded in educational and health services (+4,100), trade, transportation and utilities (+2,400), leisure and hospitality (+2,400), professional and business services (+1,500), and financial activities (+500). Job losses were centered in the following industries: natural resources, mining and construction (-1,700), and manufacturing (-300). The Government sector shed 2,200 jobs over the year.

High School Touts 21 for National Merit Honors

Posted on October 20, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld, White Plains Schools. October 20, 2011:

Eight White Plains High School seniors were named Semifinalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Competition. The students are: Matthew Africano, Aneesh Bhattacharya, Emmett Caruso,Isabelle Daly, Adam Jaffe, Jens Sannerud, Eric Smiley and Benjamin Van Doren.

Approximately 16,000 Semifinalists were named nationally — less than one percent of U. S. high school seniors – who will continue in the competition to advance to Finalist level and compete for about 8,300 scholarships worth more than $34 million. The program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Commended students in this competition program are Shaina Brady, Rong-Si Deng, Rachel Eddy, Jordan Grobe, Alyssa Habermann, Michael Lau, Khalilah Lushiku and William Tunney.

In the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which provides recognition for outstanding Black American high school students, Khalilah Lushiku and Cheyenne Vlymen-Williams are Semi- finalists and Ty Matsushita was named Outstanding Participant.

Three students were named National Hispanic Recognition Scholars: Matthew Africano, Selina Thompson and Anna Velasquez. John Medelius received Honorable Mention.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Program, to honor the nation’s scholastic champions and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence.

WP 3Q Home Sales Off 25% from 2010. Realtor: Few Homes 4 Sale=Strong Spring

Posted on October 19, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR HOUSING TIMES. By John F. Bailey. October 19, 2011:

White Plains realtor and President of the Westchester Putnam Association of Realtors, Mike Graessle of Better Homes/Rand Realty reports City of White Plains housing sales down 25% in the months of July, August and September,with prices continuing to soften, but he feels, stablizing.

Mike Graessle on a recent appearance on the city news roundup show, White Plains Week (Fridays, 7:30 PM, Channels 45 and 76, or www.WPcommunitymedia.org) updates his appearance with the latest White Plains realty sales numbers.

He noted to WPCNR that the decline in homes on the market (125 as of October 15)may bring a robust spring selling season with competition for starter homes. The city sales decline contrasted with home sales in the rest of Westchester County which went up 8% (See last week’s story on county realty sales.)

The average selling price of a White Plains home continued declining in the third quarter drifting down to $619,732, 7.7% below the third quarter of last year, ($671,501). The time a White Plains homeowner can expect to sell their home remained at 155 days ( 5 months). Fewer White Plains homes were put on the market the last three months (70) than the third quarter of last year (82)

Graessle said Co-op sales, however, were up an “astounding 74%” from 21 in the third quarter of last year to 37 in the last three months, well ahead of the county increase of 18%. The average price up 16% to $185,360. The median price (half sold above, half selling below) was $182,250, with the time it takes to move a co-op declining to 215 (5 months), and inventory of co-ops up to 105. Graessle attributed this to a younger market seeking their first home and seeking deductibility of housing costs from their taxes.

There were 39 Condominium sales, up by 3 units over the third quarter of 2010. The average sale price was up 26.7% to $592,844, compared to $467,858 last year. The median sale price was also up, $408,000 contrasted with $385,000 a year ago.

Mr.Graessle remarked that it took longer to sell a condo this year, 201 days (almost 7 months). The number of condominiums on the market are down by 14%,, 79 compared to 92 in the same quarter last year. Condominiums are being priced more realistically, he said, with the sellers eventually selling their units for 4.2% less than what they had first offered. In 2010, sellers were on average selling eventually at 5.7% less than their offering price. Presently 133 condominiums are on the market in the city.

Graessle observed that the decline in selling prices of family homes, was stabilizing as sellers priced their homes realistically going on the market., He noted that nventory was being cleared out. He said high-end homes were no longer driving up the average selling price. As the inventory declines, Graessle predicted a strong spring selling season that could bring more competitive bidding for desirable homesl

In the last three months, 12 homes in White Plains sold in the $400,000 range; 10 homes sold in the $500,000 to $600,000 price plateau; 6 in the $600,000 to $700,000 grouping and 10 in the $700,000 to $800,000 range; 2 in the $800K-$900K price bracket; 2 in the 900K-1M range, and 3 in the 1M to 1.5M range.

Graessle pointed out that these sales figures represented closings from the spring and that quarterly sales results are lagging three months behind current contracting activity.

In conclusion, he said that the home sales are now reflecting a younger demographic entering the White Plains market.

Graessle said the real estate market is not usually strong after Thanksgiving until spring.

Saccardi, Schiff Link to Planning Giant, VHB: Eye TZ Bridge Work; Open Posh HQ

Posted on October 19, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR BUZZLINE. By John F. Bailey. October 19, 2011:

A dynamic new team of planning and environmental expertise debuted Tuesday evening when long time planner-consultants to Westchester County and the City of White Plains, John Saccardi & David Schiff, opened their new headquarters officially joining Northeast planning giant, VHB, (Vanasse Hangen Brustling, Inc). of Watertown,Massachusetts, which has 21 Offices along the east coast.

Acquired by VHB in October of 2010, Saccardi & Schiff and VHB officially elected to keep their offices in White Plains (for which they were praised by White Plains Mayor Tom Roachand) opened their high style offices at 50 Main Street, reminiscent of Grey Advertising of the 1960s, right out of Mad Men in aura and understated power. (Left to right, above, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach,David Schiff, John Saccardi, VHB President Robert Brustlin, and Westchester County Deputy County Executive, Kevin Plunkett.

Robert Brustlin (left,above), Principal and President of VHB, told WPCNR Mr. Saccardi and Mr.Schiff give VHB an experienced presence in the Westchester market and he looked forward to integrating their expertise into VHB projects up and down the coast.

Brustlin said their strength in environmental issues, transportation and green development options would bolster the VHB strong east coast presence as a source for planning on development, environmental and transportation projects, including the new Tappan Zee Bridge. (Saccardi & Schiff is currently devising the Recreation District Plan for the City of White Plains privately-owned recreation areas, a plan that Michael Junghans of Saccardi & Schiff told WPCNR would be ready for the city in two months.)

He said the company, with Saccardi & Schiff on board, hoped to bring the company transportation expertise to the area. Asked if that meant VHB would be hoping to work on the new Tappan Zee Bridge plan to be unveiled by the federal government next week, Brustling, said “we hope to be active in this market.”

Robert Eschbacher (right, above), a transportation specialist with VHB told WPCNR that the $5.2 Billion Tappan Zee Bridge replacement plan (partially to be funded by the Federal Government) was a good compromise to get a replacement for the aged-out Tappan Zee Bridge underway, since federal funds for projects are “drying up.” He said building an economical bridge with the structural design to support mass transit options in the future was reasonable.

Asked if banks through the area were now becoming forthcoming with loans, Brustlin said it was a lack of appealing projects that are behind the so-called loan slow down.

“Banks have been unfairly criticized (for not making business loans), but that is because there have not been appealing projects for bankers to lend on.” He said in VHB experiencelately, that banks when presented with what he called “a great proposal” are very willing to provide financing.

About 200 hundred businesspersons and politicians attended the headquarters opening.

Mayor Tom Roach (second from left) expressed appreciation for VHB continuing Saccardi & Schiff presence in White Plains at a “transportation-friendly” location and took the opportunity to mention that bicycle lanes would be opened in the spring of 2012 North bound on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Southbound on Lexington Avenue leading to and from the railroad station. Tom Soyk, the Commissioner of Traffic in attendance, told WPCNR, not construction was needed to establish the bicycle lanes on the city’s two wide boulevards, that only painting lines was involved.

Kevin Plunkett, Deputy County Executive, said the county is willing do whatever it takes to help Westchester County “turnaround,” saying that the VHB decision to keep Saccardi & Schiff in White Plains was a step in that direction.

Posh Interior of the new 9,000 square foot space at 50 Main Street with its gray openspace, airy cubicles gave off an aura of expertise, efficiency and dynamic energy suspendended briefly for the celebration. The interior is reminiscent of the timeless impressive advertising agency-chic of the 1960s, right out of Mad Men. VHB local clients include the County of Westchester, City of Yonkers, PepsiCo, and Brownfield projects in Farmingdale, Binghamton and Glen Cove.