Metro North Plans Boost Transit-Oriented Development in White Plains

White Plains’ efforts to attract new residents to transit-oriented developments in the city’s downtown just got a boost from Metro-North Railroad, which announced this week that it will start work on a $94 million renovation of the White Plains station.

The work starting on March 19 will include new signs, improved platforms, benches with USB chargers, new station dashboards and stronger WiFi and cellular connectivity. Plans call for improving the station’s entrances, upgrading restrooms and adding energy efficient LED lighting among other upgrades.

“The key to revitalizing our urban centers is the success of transit-oriented developments like those underway in White Plains,” said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, which has made the county’s cities the focus of recent BCW initiatives. “New housing including Continuum and Bank Street Commons, as well as other planned transit-oriented developments in the city cannot help but benefit from this major upgrade to the city’s transit hub.”

The city unveiled plans at the end of 2016 for a White Plains Transit District that will involve rezoning and will open some city land for development. The plan was developed through a million-dollar state grant, which financed a year-long community outreach and planning process.