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 VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. From John Vorperian, WPPA-TV’s Sports Anchor of Beyond The Game, Manhattanville College Sports Marketing Professor. December 26, 2007:  If Major League Baseball and the National Football League expand Las Vegas; Portland, OR; Birmingham, AL; and Los Angeles would have new  teams, according to Manhattanville College Sports Management graduate students who analyzed the most likely American cities to be awarded expansion franchises as part of a final exam project conducted by their professor, John Vorperian. Vorperian is longtime sports anchor of White Plains Public Access Television’s Beyond the Game talk show.

Cashman Stadium, Las Vegas. Nevada. Current home of the Pacific Coast League Las Vegas 51s. In 2004, Las Vegas had approached Major League Baseball with plans for expanding  the Stadium to attract the Montreal Expos. Manhattanville students like Las Vegas potential for Major League Baseball.

But sometimes an errant fan thought did pop up here and there in all the reports.  One baseball
group’s player personnel had a bevy of low cost free agents, older veterans, young minor leaguers, yet
mixed in the roster was one “Chamberlain, Joba.”
   

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WPCNR’S THE REAL DEAL. By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik. December 22, 2007: We eluded last week to the fact that with some historical or very high end venues, use of a professional event planner is a necessity.  But for most locations, parties and events, having a planner may not be a prerequisite, but then again, neither was a florist 30 years ago.  Weddings and large events have changed dramatically in scale over the past few decades.  Long gone are the days were the majority of families turn their back yard into a place to celebrate a marriage or major event. 

Statistics from the 1970’s are staggering when you consider how much couples spend on weddings these days; in 1973 74% of families catered their own weddings.  84% did not use an official florist and event planners were only for the wealthiest .005% of the population.  Fast forward to the 21^st century and the price of your florist is what most people used to spend on entire events.  Costs in and of themselves, and the scale of weddings or other large events are enough to warrant hiring a professional.   You want to make sure that your money is going to the right areas and the right service providers.  We are not just talking about bang for buck, but about making sure that allocation is appropriate (i.e. not spending half of your budget on music). 

Perhaps though the biggest reason in our times to hire a professional is the sheer amount of time it takes to plan an event.  Women, both mothers and daughters are busier than ever.  Most have careers and the planning of parties has traditionally been left to them.  Many of our brides and their mothers work longer hours than their counterparts, and while the necessity to spend more time on details and budgeting has increased the availability of that time has significantly decreased.  Finding the right planner can reduce overall stress, contribute to feeling that the planning process is moving along seamlessly and timely and ensure that your budget is being used as efficiently as possible. 

In looking for a planner, the most important things to consider are: experience, personality and method.  We go into each of these below, but the first step in finding the right planner is to meet with at least three.  It’s a worthwhile line item to add to your budget, but make sure that you know who you are getting into bed with.  Meeting with three candidates will give you the ability to make a better decision, and often it’s the first decision you will be making about your event so take the time to research it.

Ideally, if you can afford it, hire someone who has a proven track record.  Someone who has either come highly recommended or who is known to be very good in their field.  If you are going to allocate funds to a professional, spend a bit more to get representation that truly will reflect your needs.  We find more often than not that you get what you pay for – so if you follow our advice and meet with a few prospective planners and one is much less than the others, there might be a reason.  Don’t be anyone’s guinea pig.  Don’t hire friends who don’t have experience.  A large event is not the time to build someone else’s career IF you are going to be depending on them for a host of services and it’s certainly not the time to try something new (unless you are willing to take the risks that come with it). 

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WPNCR THE PLANNING NEWS. By John F. Bailey. December 19, 2007: In a marathon five hour and 15 minute session, recalling The Mary Cavallero Era on the Planning Board, the Board and the White Plains Housing Authority  in simultaneous hearings, gave approval to the $8 Million leaseback bond arrangement, paving the way for Common Council approval of the renovation and preservation of senior low income housing at the Armory Plaza for the next 30 years. The deal, pending Council approval Thursday evening is scheduled to close Friday.

Enter The Venue. The view South along Bloomingdale Road of the proposed Venue retail complex for the 120 Bloomingdale Road property (below Hale Avenue.)

The Board also was introduced to the first public look at The Venue, a new retail high fashion & restaurant complex proposed for the parking lot adjacent 120 Bloomingdale Road opposite Bloomingdale’s. The project, described by the attorney for the owners of 120 Bloomingdale Road, hopes to present a pedestrian friendly retail complex with outdoor dining, landscaping with parking on two levels behind the complex shown above.  The Board Concerns about shared parking surfaced as retail parkers and parkers for the 120 office building would split the parking.

When a citizen suggested they buy the property to preserve it, John Garment,  Chair of the Planning Board, apparently wearying of Seidel’s questions and suggestions, suggested Seidel buy the property. Seidel again pressed his suggestion for an independent hydrology report, suggesting that the Planning Board by not commissioning one was “incompetent.” Garment, the Chairman bristled at this, noting the Planning Board served without pay and volunteered their time. Another member of the Planning Board acidly said to Seidel “to question our ability to evaluate this is inappropriate.” The Commissioner of Planning, Susan Habel, recommended a Draft Environmental Impact Statement be prepared on the project.

In the matter of 55 Bank Street, enhanced designs for the 536-residential, retail and office complex which will also supply 107 units of “affordable housing,” the Planning Board expressed concerns about the design not being creative enough as an effective visual introduction to the city; the Environmental Officer criticized the Bank Street garbage collection area for being outside in the back of the building, and several members of the Planning Board expressed concerns about the shared parking concept working, where “commuters” would use space vacated by residents of the buildings during the daylight hours.  They also did not want Bank Street closed down to a single lane to provide a lane of parking in front of 55 Bank Street. In the final moments, the Planning Board agreed to approve the project with the understanding that Bank Street would tweak the project design to allay their concerns. The approval was provided by the Planning Board,  in order that the 55 Bank proposal site plan could be placed on the Common Council agenda for February 4.

Peter Gilpatrick said he planned to go out for his financing the second quarter of 2008. The Commissioner of Planning, Susan Habel, also head of the Urban Renewal Agency when asked if the Urban Renewal Agency would be providing the bond financing for the project as was requested by LCOR, the developer – aid “We have not discussed it yet.”  WPCNR estimates the 55 Bank Street project would be about $250 to $300 Million.

In a related matter, Gilpatrick said LCOR was in negotiations with a hotel to go next door to the 55 Bank Street project, but declined to name the hotel at this time.

The Venue reverse angle looking North to the 120 Bloomingdale Road Office Building.

At 11:30 PM the owners of 120 Bloomingdale Road, last on the 10-item agenda, presented the first public views of The Venue, what they described as a complex of high fashion retail stores anchored by a 6 to 7,000 square foot restaurant, for which they were seeking a Special Permit. Their attorney an architect and engineering consultant explained how parking would be shared between the retail facility and the 120 Bloomingdale Road Office building. The complex was described as being pedestrian accessible with street ambience and outdoor café seating which they hoped would attract shoppers from the Fortunoff, The Westchester and Bloomingdale’s, and of course New York Presbyterian Hospital  which anchor the Bloomingdale Road strip.

The Overhead: Bloomingdale Road is at base of picture. 120 Bloomingdale Road is the tan building indicated by pointer. Venue would have two levels of parking in back of the complex. Hale Avenue is the street shown at top right of the picture.

Housing Authority Set to Buy Armory Property.

The White Plains Housing Authority- Related Preservation Management agreement whereby the Housing Authority is to issue $8 Million in closely-held bonds to finance both renovations to the Armory Plaza senior center and the 52 senior apartments within the Armory was approved by the Planning Board. The Common Council is expected to add its blessing to  this project Thursday evening and the two organizations, The Housing Authority and Related Preservation Management  will close on the project Friday. 

Joanna Rose of Related Preservation Management in New York had explained earlier this week to WPCNR that no residents would be displaced during the renovation, that the renovations will begin in January after the closing.  She said the major improvements will be to the lobby, main hall, dining area, recreation room, library, lounge, and hallways, and “critical improvements to the apartments include upgrading the bathrooms, and other interior spaces.”

The Commissioner of Planning, Ms. Habel, thanked the Housing Authority for moving to preserve the senior housing at the Armory for the next 30 years.  Matt Finkel, representing Related Preservation Management, said renovations would take nine months. Finkel explained that the Department of Housing and Urban Development had not renewed their contract with Related Preservation to continue the senior housing at the armory. Finkel reported that the Related, without the Housing Authority deal would have had the option of converting the senior low income housing to “market rate” housing. The Housing Authority bond leaseback arrangement preserves the property as senior housing.

Mack Carter, the Executive Director of the Housing Authority told WPCNR after the approval that the bonds to finance the project total $8 Million, and a portion of them, enable the Authority to purchase the Armory, then lease it back to Related Preservation Management who will continue to run the building and collect rent from the city.

Randy Mayer, the city’s bond consultant said he did not have a feel for what interest rate the tax-exempt bonds would command. He defined them as “closely held bonds” backed by the Authority, which would be issued to Related Preservation Management. Related would pay back the bonds to the housing authority from the resale of the closely held bonds with their tax exempt status  to other organizations or individuals.

Mayer said 15% of the bond proceeds, or $1.4 Million would, according to law, be used for the renovations and the balance for the purchase of the Armory from Related.

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR Roving Photographer. December 18, 2007: Today’s Photos are the happiest shots of the year: The Ritz-Carlton Pre-Opening Pep Rally — hosted by Louis Cappelli in front of his sparkling new Ritz-Carlton Westchester and in the Grand Ballroom of the Ritz — prior to the the 70th Ritz-Carlton hotel opening tomorrow night.

The Job Creator, Louis Cappelli, the Man in the black suit, with 255 of the young futures he helped to start today by building the Ritz in front of his crowning achievement, The Ritz-Carlton Westchester.

The Super Developer mingled and appeared genuinely moved and proud of the young work force who were celebrating the end of two weeks of vigorous training in The Ritz Way.

The Grand Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Westchester carried 300 persons easily at the “pep rally” and had room for 200 more. The accoustics were beautiful, the rug and arched ceilings muting the cacophany of the enthusiastic crowd

The theme was 1970s in keeping with the fact that the Ritz Carlton Westchester is the 70th Ritz to open worldwide. The hotel is providing 255 new jobs plus 18 managers promoted from the Ritz Carlton chain to the White Plains hotel. The average age of the new hires is 28. They were hailed as being “Gems” by the Ritz Vice President for Personal Affairs. Jacqueline Sanders, the General Manager of the Hotel told WPCNR all the new hires were from Westchester and The Bronx.

Louis Cappelli gives the key to The Ritz to Jacqueline Sanders, while Bill Rhodes head of Ritz-Carlton operations in America looks on. Ms.Sanders told the new Ritz-Carlton work force there were three codes to live by in the start of their new careers: “Smile, Use Our Minds and Use Our Hearts.”

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WPCNR THE DEVELOPER NEWS. From The Governor’s Press Office. December 17, 2007:  Governor Eliot Spitzer and ITT Corporation (“ITT”) today announced that ITT, a global engineering and manufacturing firm, will invest $14.8 million to expand its world headquarters in a new White Plains facility. The company pledges to retain all existing 119 jobs and create 96 new jobs within five years of occupying the new space, adding to the thousands already in its workforce across the state.

Governor Eliot Spitzer Announcing the ITT grants today in White Plains at 1133 Westchester Avenue: At far left is Westchester County Deputy County Executive, Larry Schwartz; Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains, 3rd from left; Congresswoman Nita Lowey (4th from left), Governor Spitzer (at podium) State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, State Assemblyman Adam Bradley; at far right, is owner of the complex, Robert Weisz. (Photo, the Governor’s website).

Instead of moving out-of-state, ITT decided to move its world headquarters across the street, to a leased 90,000 square-foot facility at 1133 Westchester Avenue. In recognition of its investment in New York, Empire State Development and ITT have agreed to a series of project milestones, through which the company will be eligible to apply for up to $1 million in Jobs NOW funds. Under the agreement, ITT will receive the full amount once it reaches project targets set by Empire State Development.

1133 Westchester Avenue, shown under renovation last March. (Photo, WPCNR)

Pat Foye, downstate Chairman of Empire State Development, said: “Westchester has long been a magnet for corporate headquarters, including more than a dozen Fortune 500 firms, and we are pleased with ITT’s decision to remain among the more than 170 major corporations calling Westchester home. In selecting New York over its other options, ITT has affirmed how hard our administration fights to convince companies to locate here and to help existing businesses grow in New York.”

Steve Loranger, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ITT, said: “We are pleased to have found a new home for our world headquarters here in White Plains and to remain in New York. We’ve got a rich history in the state and owe a lot of our success to the very talented people who live and work here. We’re grateful to the State of New York for its continued partnership and look forward to a bright future here.”

ITT Corporation is a world-wide supplier of pumps, systems and services to move, control and treat water and other fluids. The company is also a major supplier of sophisticated military defense systems and provides advanced technical and operational services to a broad range of government agencies. With 2006 revenues of $7.8 billion, ITT employs more than 3,700 people in New York State and approximately 35,000 worldwide. In addition to the company headquarters in Westchester, ITT maintains facilities in Monroe, Seneca, Cayuga and Wayne Counties.

New York has been host to the company’s world headquarters since 1995. After recognizing the need for a new world headquarters, ITT considered alternative sites in Connecticut, New Jersey and Colorado, where it has existing facilities. New York State and Westchester County took a proactive role in working with ITT, leading to the company’s decision to expand in the State.

ITT also expects to receive sales tax abatements from the Westchester County IDA worth $500,000 over a three-year initial period for eligible construction expenses and approximately $25,000 to $30,000 in energy cost abatements through a Con Ed Business Incentive Rate (BIR) contract over a seven to ten year period.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey said: “ITT’s decision to expand its operations in Westchester is good news for the State of New York. This decision will allow ITT to benefit from New York’s highly educated and skilled workforce, and will create job opportunities for New Yorkers in a highly competitive global industry. I commend Governor Spitzer and Empire State Development for their efforts, and I will continue to do everything I can to make New York an even greater place to live, work, and do business.”

State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer said: “Hearty congratulations go to Governor Spitzer’s economic development team, County Executive Spano and ITT for keeping and expanding the company in White Plains. This is just one indication that state government is working to bolster New York’s economy.”

Assembly Member Adam Bradley said: “I am delighted that ITT is not only staying in White Plains, but expanding its world headquarters in the City. Their commitment to the City of White Plains and the State of New York is a testament to our efforts to maintain a vibrant economy in the Region. I am particularly pleased that Empire State Development has played such a vital role in making this happen.”

Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano said: “We are proud and pleased that ITT has chosen to keep Westchester as its world headquarters. I want to thank Governor Spitzer for his efforts which show, once again, that by working together, we can benefit our residents, businesses and our economy. ITT will not only remain in Westchester, but will also be increasing its workforce here. This is an example of the successful economic development partnership between the State and the County.”

White Plains Mayor Joseph M. Delfino said: “When ITT approached me about their desire to remain in Westchester County and about their interest to move their world headquarters into the City of White Plains, I was pleased to help them. The theme of my administration is that of working together. This is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when we work together to reach a desired goal. This partnership between the private and public sector is helping New York State continue its economic growth with the creation of 96 new jobs. It’s is a win-win situation for the City of White Plains and the ITT Corporation.”

Westchester County Board of Legislators’ Chairman Bill Ryan said: “ITT’s decision to remain in Westchester and expand its operation is good news for area residents. Westchester will realize more jobs, a stronger tax base and an enhanced corporate community. These will benefit the county both immediately and in the years to come.”

The Spitzer administration has taken steps to improve the state’s business climate by confronting what the Governor calls “the perfect storm of unaffordability” – a mix of high taxes, burdensome costs, and regulations that have hampered growth. This year, the administration succeeded in obtaining a historic workers’ compensation reform that will reduce businesses’ premiums by more than $1 billion while increasing benefits for injured workers. Also this year, the administration cut business taxes by $150 million and reduced property taxes by $1.3 billion.