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SOLD FOR $50 MILLION

MAYOR TOM ROACH, COUNCILMAN JOHN MARTIN AND COUNCILWOMAN JEN PUJA SAY FAIRWELLS. 

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. December 2, 2025:

The Common Council enabled the Galleria City rebuild of the former Galleria Mall to go forward last night with all Councilmembers lauding the project as necessary for the city to grow in the future.

The council approved selling the city-owned garages to LCOR the developer for a sum of $50 Million to be financed, and leased back for a 3 year period.

 Councilman  (and Mayor Elect) Justin Brasch  said the demolition of the garages would cost the city 25 to 30 Million dollars, which the developer will  now pay. Brasch remarked the city was assured of more affordable housing units than first provided by previous plans, and 40% more open space and that now it was time to “move on to the site plan.”

Councilman John Martin said the approval of the sale of the garages , in addition the city was offering the developer a density bonus, providing the new project with incentives for proving more affordable housing and allowing higher occupancy  buildings in return for more affordable housing units.

Councilwoman  Jen Puja noted the developer has agreed to a Project Labor Agreement that would include union and local contractors on the project.

Council President Victor Presser noted it had taken 2 years to get to this compromise, but emphasized there is “more to do” to decide what should be on that site. She said “without this rezoning, the project is dead.”

Councilman Jeremiah Frie-Pearson stressed the new Galleria would be a $2 billion project and would greatly benefit the residents of the city.

Councilman Richard Payne said the go-ahead on the project was “in the best interests of the city,” but cautioned this agreement was a “Memorandum of Understanding, and “there was  more to be negotiated.

At the beginning of the Council Meeting, John Martin Jen Puja and Mayor Roach announced they were leaving the Common Council, Mr. Martin after 14 years,Ms.. Puja to move into higher office as County Legislator for District 5 and the Mayor as newly elected County Clerk. You can hear their final addresses in the first  15 minutes of the video of last night’s council meeting at

https://whiteplainsny.new.swagit.com/videos/362255

In a public hearing on the new garage for White Plains Hospital, after several townspeople expressed concern that there was not adequate public parking on Post Road for the residences along East Post Road,  and hoped the public would be able to park in the new 8-story garage planned, William Null the Chairman of the Board of White Plains Hospital  said there would be no public parking allowed in the new garage. He said 180 spaces would be reserved for residents of Brookfield Commons, a White Plains Housing Authority site, (now about to begin its third rebuild at 159 Lexington, with two more to go).

The Council closed the public hearing of the Hospital garage and approved the project.

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GOVERNOR HOCHUL URGES CAUTION AS NOR’EASTER IS FORECAST TO DELIVER FIRST MAJOR SNOWFALL FOR MAJORITY OF NEW YORK

Winter Storm Watches, Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories in Effect for Many Areas North of New York City

Storm Will Cause Difficult and Potentially Dangerous Commutes Tuesday; Avoid Unnecessary Travel if Possible

New Yorkers Can Sign Up for Weather and Emergency Alerts by Texting 333111

Governor Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers to exercise caution ahead of a Nor’easter system forecast to bring the first major snowfall for much of the state beginning early Tuesday morning. Winter Storm Watches and Warnings are in effect for parts of the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Mid-Hudson and Capital Regions where snow totals could surpass 7 inches.

Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for parts of the Western New York, Central New York, Finger Lakes and Mid-Hudson regions which are expected to receive less than 6 inches of snow. The storm is expected to create difficult driving conditions during the Tuesday morning and evening commutes. New Yorkers should do their best to avoid unnecessary travel on roadways, however if unable to, it will be important to leave extra time for traveling and always remember to avoid crowding plows when they are servicing roadways.

“While New Yorkers are no strangers to snow, and preparedness is key to staying safe on the roads and at home,” Governor Hochul said. “Ahead of this snowfall, I’m encouraging New Yorkers to make a plan – stock your car with safety essentials and leave extra time when traveling. State agencies stand ready to assist New Yorkers throughout the storm and our plow crews will be out keeping our roadways safe, but we encourage everyone to be weather aware and closely monitor the forecast.”

Snow is possible statewide, with the highest totals across the Mid-Hudson and Capital Regions. Accumulations of four to eight inches of snow are expected, with isolated totals of up to one foot possible in the higher elevations of the Catskills. Snowfall totals will depend on elevation and daytime temperatures will be near freezing.

In addition to preparing for snow, New Yorkers should also prepare to protect against the dangers that can result from colder weather and winter activities. Under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill equal less than 32 degrees.

Local social services districts are legally required to take necessary steps to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and that shelter hours are extended. Cold Weather tips from the Department of Health can be found here; additional tips for preventing frostbite and hypothermia can be found here; information on Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be found here; information on the proper use of generators can be found here; safe winter driving tips can be found here.

The New York State Department of Labor advises workers and employers to engage in extreme cold weather best practices such as:

• Limit outdoor work, provide frequent breaks in warm areas and schedule outdoor work during the warmest times of the day.
• Ensure access to clean drinking water.
• Stay hydrated with warm beverages and avoid drinking caffeine.
• Wear proper PPE, including at least three layers of clothing, gloves or mittens, thick socks, insulated footwear and a hat, hood or hard hat liner.

More Information on best practices for working in cold weather can be found here.

Winter Storm Watches, Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued, and New Yorkers should closely monitor their local forecasts and look for updates issued by the National Weather Service. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website at alerts.weather.gov.

New Yorkers should also ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They should also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

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WPCNR Thanksgiving Portfolio, all photos by WPCNR:

On this Thanksgiving, let us remember the band of hardy intrepid souls who crossed an ocean in a boat no  bigger than a large Chris Craft and settled in an unforgiving landscape and started a country in the cold landscape of New England.

They were immigrants.

They were helped by a native American Indian — Squanto–who welcomed them, without Squanto’s compassion they would not have survived. And, remember, those pilgrims were immigrants.

A salute to this brave band. A salute, too, to the indian who accepted them without visas, without jobs, with no background checks no green cards. No border wall. No cages for children. No fear on the part of the Indians and their humanitarian leader, Squanto

The pilgrims sailed into a bay, dropped anchor and just carved out a living after living in incredible conditions in a ship’s hold for weeks, crossing the storm-tossed North Atlantic. Here are some views of America’s hometown by the WPCNR Roving Photographer.

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Plymouth Rock Landing. Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The Mayflower II. Plymouth Harbor.

Statue of Squanto welcoming the Pilgrim Settlers. Plymouth.

Governor William Bradford Statue on the Shores of Plymouth Harbor

“Plymouth Rock,” The landing place of the pilgrims.

Settlers Home, left, circa 1690.

Church, Plymouth late 1700s. .

The Jury: Old Burial Ground, Plymouth. Last resting place of the pilgrims overlooking Plymouth Harbor. The sacrifices, bravery and perseverance of these persons stand as examples to Americans today.

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COMMON COUNCIL
AGENDА
SPECIAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 24, 2025
6:30 PM
City Clerk

PRESENTATION:

1. Special Permit request for Life Time Fitness to be located at property known as
One Maple Avenue. (The Source, former Fortunoffs site)

DISCUSSION:

2. Proposed zoning amendment to create a new “Transit Development2 (TD-2)District” affecting real property known as 100 Main Street, White Plains, New York.

3. Capital Project No. 5522 entitled “Rolling Stock Acquisition Electric Garbage Truck”

4. Capital Project No. 5677 entitled “Library Parking Structure Rehabilitation.”
MOTION:

5. Motion to enter executive session to discuss the proposed sale of real property.