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Latimer Seems to Turn Page on County Airport P3; Puts Out RFP on Airport’s Future Use

May 2019

WHITE PLAINS—Westchester County Executive George Latimer has seemed to move away from a $1.1-billion public-private partnership negotiated by the former administration of Robert Astorino at Westchester County Airport and issued a new Request for Proposals to study economic and environmental issues in connection with the airport’s master plan. County Executive Latimer in announcing the release…

$160M Rehab and Refi of Bronx Mitchell-Lama Completed

May 2019

NEW YORK—State officials announced on May 29 the completion of the $160-million rehabilitation and refinancing of the Michelangelo Apartments, a 494-unit Mitchell-Lama affordable housing development in the Melrose section of the Bronx. Michelangelo Apartments was originally built in 1975 and contains four towers with 80 studios, 126 one-bedroom, 191 two-bedroom, 77 three-bedroom and 20 four-bedroom…

HGAR, RISMedia Co-Host Forum in New York City on Importance of Real Estate Data

May 2019

NEW YORK—Top real estate experts joined event sponsors the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors and RISMedia at “The State of Real Estate Data in NYC” on May 20 to discuss the importance of accurate data in residential listings and the need for a unified system. Richard Haggerty, CEO of HGAR and president of the New…

Westchester Medical Center to Open $230M Pavilion Later This Month

May 2019

VALHALLA—Officials with the Westchester Medical Center unveiled its $230-million new Ambulatory Care Pavilion on May 16th in advance of its opening later this month. The new, 280,000 square-foot, eight-story Ambulatory Care Pavilion, Westchester Medical Center’s new focal point for ambulatory care services will host its first patients later this month. The hospital, the flagship of…

Mounting Evidence of Some SALT Impact on Home Sales Market

May 2019

WHITE PLAINS—The data keeps indicating that the changes to the SALT deduction (cap of $10,000 on state and local tax deductions) imposed by the federal tax reform law is having an impact on some segments of the housing market in the area. The latest statistics that seem to back up that theory come from the…

17-Forward 86 Coalition Hails Release of REFEI On Rte. 17 Study as ‘Major Victory’ for Region

May 2019

ALBANY—New York State has begun what transportation, business and construction industry leaders describe as a critical step in an ongoing effort to improve mobility on the much traveled and highly congested Route 17 in Orange and Sullivan counties, including studying the addition of a third lane on the heavily traveled corridor. The New York State…

Developers Reportedly Adapting to Natural Gas Moratorium in Lower Westchester County

May 2019

WHITE PLAINS—The development community in Westchester County is being forced to adapt to a new norm—a moratorium on new natural gas connection hookups imposed by utility Con Edison on March 15. Thus far, there have been no reports of developers walking away from their projects in the county due to the imposition of the moratorium.…

Some Unique Places in Westchester to Visit

May 2019

Westchester County is home to many unique attractions—from renowned historic sites to breathtaking nature preserves and parks. New and even long-time residents in the county can find a plethora of places and activities to keep themselves entertained throughout the year. And for those who love animals, there are a few special spots offering visitors the…

A Conversation with Joseph Rand on His New Book "How to be a Great Real Estate Agent"

May 2019

Joseph Rand, the chief creative officer for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Rand Realty, has just published his latest book, “How to be a Great Real Estate Agent.” In it, he discusses how agents can build their business by becoming better at their actual jobs. REID: One of the main points in your…

Starwood Capital Group to Develop Mixed-Use Opportunity Zone Project in the South Bronx

May 2019

NEW YORK—Starwood Capital Group announced on May 9 that an affiliate had reached an agreement to develop a 147,000 square-foot mixed-use facility in a designated Opportunity Zone in the South Bronx. The 10-story development, located at 425 Westchester Ave., will be anchored by a PK-8 charter school and include office space for a non-profit organization…

Woodbury Common Reveals Significant Expansion Plans

May 2019

CENTRAL VALLEY—On May 9, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets outlined new details of its proposed expansion that will bolster tourism and job creation for the region. The center’s plans were unveiled at the Orange County Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast held at Woodbury Common’s Market Hall. Woodbury Common has proposed plans that include: approximately 165,000 square…

HGAR Lobbies NYC/Hudson Valley Lawmakers On Eight Key Priorities at Annual Lobby Day

May 2019

ALBANY—Approximately 60 members of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors traveled to Albany on Tuesday, May 7 to join hundreds of Realtors from across the state and present the real estate association’s 2019 legislative priorities to state lawmakers that represent Assembly and Senate districts in the Hudson Valley and New York City. Tops on the…

Yonkers Mayor Introduces New Landlord Identification Bill

May 2019

YONKERS—Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano announced on May 6 plans to propose legislation to the Yonkers City Council expanding the responsibilities and accountability of local landlords in an effort to better protect the safety and well-being of their tenants. The local law would amend the “Housing and Building Maintenance Code” and would apply to residential buildings…

Westchester Terminates Rye Playland Contract with Standard Amusements

April 2019

WHITE PLAINS—Westchester County notified Standard Amusements, LLC, which was scheduled to take over operation of the storied Rye Playland amusement park in November, that it was terminating the 30-year lease agreement reached in mid-2016. Late last month, Westchester County Executive George Latimer reported he had reached the decision to terminate the Rye Playland 30-year lease…

Con Ed Reaches Deal to Expand Pipeline That Could Lift Westchester Natural Gas Moratorium in Four Years

April 2019

NEW YORK CITY—Con Edison has proposed a major project that could bring sufficient natural gas to sections of Westchester County impacted by the utility’s moratorium imposed last month. The only problem is the remedy won’t be online for four-and-a-half years at the earliest. Utility Con Edison reported on April 24 that it reached an agreement…

‘Runway for Hope’ Fashion Show Raises More than $30K for Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation

April 2019

WHITE PLAINS—The Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation reported recently that a total of $30,417 was raised at its "Runway for Hope" Fashion Show held on April 4 at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle. The event featured fashions by Lord & Taylor in Eastchester and were modeled by HGAR Realtors. Established in 2003 and relaunched…

Struggling Luxury Market a Drag on Region’s Home Sales

April 2019

Tale of Two Markets WHITE PLAINS—Home sales activity in the Hudson Valley in the first quarter of 2019 was mixed, with Rockland County leading the way with a 7.1% increase in overall sales, while Westchester, Putnam and Sullivan counties posted sales volume declines of 3.5%, 13% and 14.5% respectively. Orange County also posted a sales…

Westchester County Association, HVEDC Set to Merge

April 2019

WHITE PLAINS—The Westchester County Association and the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. shocked the region’s business community in late January when they announced their intent to merge. The WCA, which has been a leading business advocacy organization and the HVEDC, which is the regional economic development agency for the Hudson Valley region, including Westchester, Rockland,…

WCA/HVEDC Event Explored Key NY Health Care Issues

April 2019

TARRYTOWN—The Westchester County Association and Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation held its “All Access Healthcare: Inside the Key Issues Facing New York State” event on April 3 at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown to discuss important issues that impact the region’s hospital and healthcare system, and the direct impacts of those issues on the local…

Third Annual Real Estate Summit Set for May 14

April 2019

Mark Your Calendars: TARRYTOWN—The Third Annual Real Estate Summit to be held on May 14 will cover a host of issues, including a close look at the transformational projects shaping the Hudson Valley’s future and lessons to be learned from the failed Amazon deal in New York City. The event at the Westchester Marriott will…