WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. August 5, 2003 UPDATED WITH PHOTOS 4:30 P.M. E.D.T.: The Common Council approved the Louis Cappelli proposal to build light retail, a health club, including pool and tennis corrects to the rooftop of the new City Center Garage Monday evening by a vote of 6 to 1 with Councilman Thomas Roach voting against because he thought the proposal had been made without adequate time to answer all the questions about how the project would work within the complex. Super Developer Louis Cappelli vowed publicly the rooftop construction on the City Center Garage would not prevent the garage from opening October 15 in time for the opening of the City Center.
“Mamaroneck and Main was not a 24-hour city, that was my charge.” Louis Cappelli told the Common Council last night, saying, the City Center project, “will not be complete without 221 Main.” Photo by WPCNR News
The Cappelli-Bland Westin Hotel as visualized from the corner of Court & Main. Photo by WPCNR News
The public hearing to consider the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Super Developer’s proposal to build “the Cappelli-Bland Hotel” 35-story hotel and office complex on the former Halpern property on Main Street between Church and Court Street was opened.
Four members of the public voiced opinions on the project. Two in favor and two against. Carl Barrera, a resident of the Highlands spoke in favor of the project. Alan Teck and Barbara Benjamin expressed strong concerns about the aggravation of traffic and air pollution levels they predicted would be forthcoming should the council approve the project. Steve Connors expressed concern that the Bar Building had historical significance. (The Planning Board and Design Review Board has endorsed condemning to open up more space along Main Street, showcasing Grace Church.)
The Proposed Cappelli Bland Westin as viewed from across the street at Fountain Plaza.
Photo by WPCNR News
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Louis Cappelli said he was actively pursuing negotiations to acquire the Bar Building and indicated it was only a matter of time before he did acquire the former home of the Westchester Bar Assocation (from which the building gets its name). Mr. Cappelli was magnanimously gracious in his public pronouncements last night, complimenting White Plains as being the city all others in Westchester are trying to be like because of the city’s “vision.” Cappelli noted that New Rochelle has followed the White Plains lead by approving a second hotel and retail complex that Mr. Cappelli is to build to build on the success of his New Roc City complex.
The drive-in entrance to the Cappelli Bland Westin off the proposed Court Street extension as shown before the Common Council last night.
Photo by WPCNR
The Common Council approved funding mechanisms for the White Plains Performing Arts Center in another resolution, and city sources said a news conference would be held this week introducing the new Trustee and Advisory Boards to the theater. WPCNR has also learned that the show for opening night has already been selected and is in development at the present time. Louis Cappelli told WPCNR the theater would open shortly after November 1, that he could not give an exact date.
The Council approved Ann Bernstein as a represenative of the Common Council to the White Plains Business Improvement District by a vote of 6 to 1, with the Mayor dissenting because Ms. Bernstein, the realtor, was no longer a resident of White Plains.
Peter Russo, Senior Code Enforcement Officer of the Department of Building was honored as Employee of the Month for his work in enforcing kitchen fire codes across the city. Photo by WPCNR News.
Major fireworks of the evening occurred during the Citizens to Be Heard segment. About 15 residents of the Highlands turned out to protest the impending purchase of 129 Longview Avenue by the Association of Halfway Houses organization, which proposes to house rehabilitating citizens there. The disabilities of the residents have not been revealed yet.
