Bryant and Mamaroneck Double Decked Parking to Open Mid January.

WPCNR THE PARKING NEWS. November 30, 2004: The doubledeck parking garage being built behind the block on Mamaroneck Avenue housing Smiley’s, the Gedney Station Post Office, Francesco’s, Gino’s and Dunkin Donuts  is nearing completion to serve the long parking impoverished Old Mamaroneck Road and Shapham Place neighborhood.


Approximately 600 new spaces will be available on two decks, accessible via Mamaroneck Avenue adjacent to Dunkin Donuts, and from the municipal parking lot behind Mamaroneck Avenue School. WPCNR has learned the “Double-Decker” is on target only a month behind schedule, and will open to the public in mid-January.



PARKING IS ON THE WAY! The Mamaroneck & Bryant parking structure sprawls behind the U.S. Post Office, as seen from the Bryant Avenue grade coming up from Mamaroneck & Bryant intersection Tuesday. It will be opened mid-January.  It is being built for a cost of approximately $2.6 Million bonded for by the city.Photo by WPCNR ParkingCam.



ANOTHER DPW TRIUMPH! The upper deck seen from Mamaroneck Avenue School. Motorists parking overnight or seeking parking for the school, or anticipating a long walk into downtown may enter the upper deck from the Shapham Place lot. Construction is being supervised by the White Plains Department of Public Works. The construction has been underway for about eight months.  Photo by WPCNR ParkingCam.

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Galleria Introduces New Restaurant Row on Main Street.

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. Special to WPCNR  December 1, 2004, Updated DECEMBER 2, 2004: 10:00 A.M. E.S.T. : Monday evening, The Mills Corporation, owners of The Galleria,  introduced a plan for Common Council consideration to turn its Main Street frontage from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Sears into a string of four restaurants with entrances opening onto Main Street.


 



THE GALLERIA TODAY: ENERGIZING WEST MAIN STREET: A string of four restaurants is planned for the Main Street Galleria Mall frontage. The popular Florida restaurant, Bonefish Grill is likely to be the anchor eatery. Construction on the facade will take about eight months. The exterior will also features logos of various retailers on the inside. In right foreground is the Sears store. Photo


by WPCNR News.



THE GALLERIA TOMORROW: 21ST CENTURY GALLERIA LOOK:  Architect’s rendering of the new Main Street facade of The Galleria, as presented Monday evening. In speaking with the architect, Wednesday, WPCNR learned from Kyle Tornow that there is a rental option which a prospective restauranteur could choose of having a two-story restaurant opening onto Main Street. Tournow added that in the future, Mills Corporation is planning a complete interior redesign of the Galleria, all three floors.  Rendering, Courtesy, PCA (Architects), Cambridge, MA.


 


 


 


The plan was presented by Galleria Manager Winnette Peltz and Jeremy Meredith, Associate Development Director of The Mills Corporation.  If the Common Council approves, they expect to complete the new look to Main Street a year from now. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.


 


Peltz said the opening of new apartments and condominiums and the expected new residents in White Plains was behind the concentration on new eateries. The Galleria currently features Todai, the Japanese seafood restaurant, accessible from Main. Todai would be joined by up to four new establishments.


 


The Bonefish Grill a chain known for large bars and seating capacity, is the leading candidate and anchor in the four-restaurant lineup to date. Emmigrant Savings Bank is expected to move its present Main Street location to within the mall.


 


Mills analysis of the current White Plains market lead them away from an original plan for a series of movie theaters and seven restaurants in the mall, citing the competition of the City Center Cinema De Lux.


 


The Galleria was last remodeled in 1993. The remodeling will introduce a new personality to “The G” in its twenty-fifth anniversary year.


The Bonefish Grill gives you a look between Legal Sea Food and Coughlins with lots of cherrywood decor. Cincinnati Magazine reviewer Dawn Simonds describes The Queen City Hyde Park Bonefish Grill as “one-third bar, tall communal tables, all masculine with burnished wood…a bank of booths.” In the main dining area, Simonds describes it as a place where the busboys are in chef’s whites who contribute to the atmosphere.


 


Should The Mills Corporation succeed in luring Bonefish to “The G,”  the restaurant should attract a more upscale crowd especially evenings to The Galleria, upgrading its interior attractiveness to retailers. For years The G has been known as the teen mall, catering to swarms of young people from 10 to their early twenties who frequented the economical Food Court fast food places,  the low end fashion boutiques, the costume jewelry stores, shoe stores and pop culture and sports gear establishments and bookstores that have done very well there.


 


Bonefish would give “The G” the possibility of bringing in quality clothiers and fashion boutiques a cut above the stores now occupying the premises to lure the expected influx of $2,000-and-up-a-month tenants and $1.5 Million-and-up Condo buyers filling up Trump Tower at City Center, and at the Cappelli-HotelCondoplex a block away, now beginning construction. 


 


The atmosphere of the mall has been traditionally lower middle class, but neat, functional and customer friendly. It certainly has the best parking in White Plains. Now with the Bonefish, should Mills net them, they will have a popular, proven successful restaurant for the first time to bring in $25-a-plate spenders.


 


The Bonefish is a big fish on the Mills Corporation line, and they need to land them.


 



BONEFISH GRILL features long tables, convivial atmosphere and is known as an unscale singles rendezvous. Photo Capture from the Bonefish Grill website by WPCNR WebCam.


 


Bonefish originated in Tampa Florida where it was so successful that Outback Steakhouse purchased it and has since opened 12 Bonefishes in Florida. The decor features Florida scenes and romances the seafood fare which is described as being flown in daily. For a preview of Bonefish, go to www.bonefishgrill.com.


 


 

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Westchester County Recognizes World AIDS Day Wednesday


WPCNR LANCET. From Westchester County Department of Health. (EDITED) November 30, 2004: White Plains will observe World AIDS Day Wednesday with a series of information events to educate citizens to the dangers and spread of AIDS. Westchester County, according to Westchester County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joshua Lipsmann, has the highest number of AIDS cases in New York State outside of New York City. Around White Plains, citizens can attend the following events inside the city. There will also be two forums held Friday to educate women to the AIDS phenomena:


– White Plains Hospital Center (Davis Ave. @ E. Post Road) will be providing  education materials and information on HIV/AIDS in the lobby from 11:30am-1:30pm.  Contact Deborah Frantzen, Resource Clinician, 914-681-1194.


 


–         The Westchester Coalition on Global Poverty and AIDS (WCGPA) is hosting an event with various speakers and cultural performances.  The event is at 7pm at Memorial United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Avenue in White Plains (between Mamaroneck Avenue and North Street).  Admission is free.  Donations will support three Westchester-based organizations providing treatment, care, and prevention services for HIV/AIDS in Africa.  Visit www.memorialmethodist.org or call 914-949-2146 for directions.  Free parking.  For further information, contact Ken Paterson at 914-337-4247 or Ron Mitchell at [email protected]. 


 


– The LOFT is screening the film “Red Ribbon Blues” starring RuPaul, Paul Mercurio, Debbie Mazar, and John Epperson at 7:30pm.  HIV/AIDS information will be available from ARCS, WCDOH, and NYU School of Medicine.  180 E. Post Road, White Plains.  Contact: Yvette 914-948-2932.


 


 


“When people think of HIV/AIDS, they don’t realize how prevalent HIV/AIDS is in our own communities” said Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H, Westchester County Health Commissioner. “Many people would be surprised to learn that outside of New York City, Westchester County has the highest number of cases of HIV disease in the state,” added Dr. Lipsman.


In the United States, up to 950,000 Americans are estimated to have HIV, with 40,000 new infections every year. In New York State, Westchester County has the highest number of cases of AIDS and the highest number of cases of HIV.


 


In recognition of World AIDS Day, the Westchester County Department of Health will be hosting a conference, “The Down Low and HIV: What is the Connection?” on Friday, December 3 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains. Featured speakers include Keith Boykin, lecturer and award-winning author; Patricia Nalls, Community AIDS activist for the rights of women living with HIV and their families; and Dr. Lisa Hightow, lead author of a study on a University of North Carolina outbreak of HIV among male college students.


 


This year’s World AIDS Day theme is “Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS,” which reflects on how


HIV/AIDS has significantly increased among women. Women now make up half of all people living with HIV worldwide. In Westchester County, women are contracting the disease more than ever before. Among women, middle-aged minorities are at greatest risk. “Data indicate that compared to their male counterparts, black, non-Hispanic women have a higher rate of HIV/AIDS infection, as do all women between 40 and 49 years of age” said Dr. Lipsman. 


 


The December 3rd conference  will focus on a common avenue of HIV/AIDS transmission among African-American women. African-American women between the ages of 30 and 50 who are in heterosexual relationships with men who are having sex with other men on “the down low” are particularly vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS.  Recent national studies suggest that 30% of all black bisexual men may be infected with HIV, and up to 90% of those men do not know that they are infected. Researchers for the CDC have referred to these men as a “bridge” to infection from gay men to heterosexual women.


World AIDS Day events are occurring throughout Westchester County. Included are the following:



  • Hastings-on-Hudson: 

The Westchester Chapter of the United Nations Association of the U.S.A. will hold a forum on Sunday,


December 5th, “HIV/AIDS – a Global and Local Issue!”  The keynote speaker will be Dr. Allan Rosenfield, Dean of the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.  He will be joined by a representative of UNAIDS and by student activist Kelley Cope. The forum will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the new Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh 10607 (off Route 119).  The public is welcome, free of charge.  Light refreshments will be served.  Call 914-478-3450 for more information or visit www.stratdev.com/UNA-USA/



  • Mount Vernon

– World AIDS Day Ceremony at 11:30am on December 1st, Mt. Vernon City Hall, City Hall Rotunda (open to the public).  For further information, contact Danielle Scholar, 914-699-7230. 


– The Mount Vernon Youth Council invites all youth ages 12-18 years old to “HIV… An


Issue for Everyone.”  3pm-7pm.   Mount Vernon Armory, 144 North 5th Ave., Mount Vernon, NY  10550.  Co-sponsored by The City of Mount Vernon (Mayor Ernest D. Davis), WestCOP and Family Services of Westchester.  RSVP to Tamara Berthaud at 914-668.9124 x 18.


 



Peekskill: City of Peekskill Youth Bureau hosts the day commencing at 6pm on Wednesday, December 1st with a Candlelight Vigil Walk from Peekskill Youth Bureau Activity Center (16 North Broad Street) to the United Methodist Church located at 1040 Main Street.  After the walk, the program will include poetry readings, praise dancing with a choir, and guest speakers.  The theme of the event is: Remembering a Cause, Renewing our Commitment and Mobilizing a New Generation.  For further information, contact 914-734-2186 or 914-734-2051.



  • Valhalla

The following are events sponsored by Westchester Medical Center for Wednesday, December 1st:   


–         9:30am, Opening of the Quilts (WMC Interfaith Chapel)


–         10am-2pm, Information Table (University Hospital Main Lobby);


–         Noon, Interfaith Service for Wholeness (WMC Interfaith Chapel);


–         2pm, AIDS Care Center (ACC) Service of Remembrance (WMC Interfaith Chapel);


–         5pm, Closing of the Quilts (WMC Interfaith Chapel). 


For more information, contact Br. Richard John Lorino at 914-493-1292.



  • Yonkers

– December 1st: The following are events sponsored by the Yonkers HIV Providers’ Task Force (with the support of The Sharing Community, St. John’s Riverside Hospital, and Greyston Foundation) at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Getty Square unless other wise noted:


9:30am – Proclamation Ceremony at The Guild Room


10am- 3pm – The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt Display


12pm – 1:30pm – Interfaith Vigil of Remembrance and Hope featuring the Lincoln High School Choir and the Greyston Health Services Theater Group


1:45 – 2:15pm – Acknowledgement Ceremony of Local Providers in the Guild Room


 


For more information and to register for the “The Down Low and HIV: What is the Connection?” conference on December 3rd, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5256 or  email [email protected].


 

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Cappelli: I am not the Devil. No Quid Pro Quo on Samaritan Donation.

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. November 29. 2004, Updated with New Photo: Louis Cappelli, The Super Developer, has had enough of being cast as a developer with motives and strings attached to his $1,000,000 gift to Samaritan House.


 


He announced to WPCNR Monday he is within a couple of weeks of  a contract signing with Grace Church where Mr. Cappelli would renovate the annex complex using his construction crews to include the Samaritan House section, the soup kitchen and serving area, completely refurbishing the Grace Church annex without the church spending a dime.


 



LOUIS CAPPELLI at the Common Council in August. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


 



MR. CAPPELLI is standing by to renovate the interior of the Grace Episcopal Church annex, at right behind Grace Church on Church Street. City Center is at end of the street. Photo by WPCNR News


 


 


 


 


 


 


Louis Cappelli Explains It All.


 


Mr. Cappelli contacted WPCNR Monday evening to clear the air on his $1,000,000 Gift to Grace Church and Samaritan House for renovation services, announced one week ago.  The character of gift was first indicated to be cash by Grace Church Rector Janet Vincent, then described to WPCNR by Bruce Berg, President of  Cappelli Enterprises as a services only arrangement.


 


The Super Developer told WPCNR “I’m tired of being cast as the devil” and angrily said “ This an absolute 100% gesture of  good faith. The quid pro quo on this deal is ZERO!”


 


Cappelli in hurt, clipped, measured tones said, “I need nothing from them. I have the air rights over Grace Church , the building rights, that all came with the Halpern deal. There is nothing I need from them.”


 


Can You Help Us?


 


Cappelli told the story of how his Million Dollar Gift took shape:


 


 “I was approached during their Oasis of Hope Campaign a year and a half ago, and was asked could you help us? I  said as a neighbor would. I would donate $500,000 towards your Oasis of Hope campaign. I hired an architect (Bill Pfaff) to complete the (architectural) plan for them.”


 


The Super Developer said he paid Pfaff $75,000 for the plan.


 


Cappelli said Pfaff  met with the Grace Church team and based on their needs, Cappelli said  a set of plans was created for the new annex  that  called for:


 


“A. A complete renovation of the soup kitchen, and B., a complete upgrade and renovation of Samaritan House. “


 


Cappelli said the Samaritan House quarters, kitchen and building  was getting a full makeover with new bathrooms, new fixtures, new furnishings, a new heating and air conditioning system,  even new elevators. He said Pfaff’s plan modernized the soup kitchen, too.


 


Work Poised to Start.


 


Cappelli said no work has been started yet. He expected the contract to be signed for his firm to execute the work at the same time he begins to build the 221 Main complex adjacent to Grace Church. “The contract hasn’t been done. Just a few little things to tie up.”


 


After the plans were done, Cappelli said, “ I’m building the new building next door  and at 300 Mamaroneck (The Jefferson). How about I build this for you? I decided to pick up the tab.”


 


Saves Grace Church Hundreds of Thousands.


 


The Super Developer said that if he did not construct the annex makeover for the church that it would cost them well over the million dollars he estimates it will cost him in materials and construction (at considerably less cost), than if Grace Church used an independent contractor.


 


Mr. Cappelli reports Grace is in the process of hiring their own construction manager to oversee Mr. Cappelli’s work at this time.


 


The Super Developer reminded WPCNR of his cash gift to build the Renaissance Plaza Fountain, and his agreement to construct the Performing Arts Center as part of the City Center project.


 


‘I’m tired of being cast as the devil. I’m donating a building. I’m tired of seeing my name tossed up and being (expletive deleted) over.”

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