Marsha Gordon to Serve as Co-Chair of Local Planning Committee for New Rochelle Downtown Revitalization Initiative

The state recently awarded a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant to the City of New Rochelle, and this week the project’s Local Planning Committee was approved with Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, serving as co-chair along with New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.

“We worked so hard to bring this grant to New Rochelle, and I am humbled, excited and energized to serve as co-chair of the Local Planning Committee,” Gordon said. “But of course this is just the start. We will continue to work tirelessly to help shape a strategic vision for the city and to execute it effectively.”

As Westchester’s largest and most prestigious business membership and advocacy organization, the Business Council of Westchester has prioritized the reimagining and reinventing of urban centers, and the awarding of the coveted grant to New Rochelle represented a major accomplishment.

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a comprehensive approach to boosting local economies by transforming communities into vibrant neighborhoods that offer a high quality of life for all residents.

Each community selected to participate in the DRI will accomplish its goals through a unique state-local partnership that includes a Local Planning Committee (LPC), a consultant team, and state agency staff. With support from municipal staff and input from the public, this partnership will result in a strategic investment plan that will achieve the vision and goals for revitalization of the downtown.

The Local Planning Committee (LPC) is made up of local and regional leaders, stakeholders, and community representatives. Each LPC is led by two co-chairs consisting of the local elected official (or his or her designee) and a member of the Regional Economic Development Council, in this case Marsha Gordon.

Other members will be invited to participate by the Secretary of State after consultation with the LPC co-chairs and other state partners.

The Local Planning Committee will work with the consultant team and state agency staff to:

• Create a profile of the downtown.
• Refine the vision that was included in the community’s DRI application.
• Develop strategies and identify methods to achieve the downtown vision.
• Identify and select projects key to overall downtown revitalization.
• Develop and adopt a Downtown Revitalization Initiative Strategic Investment Plan.
• Develop a community engagement plan and engage the public in the planning process.

View New Rochelle’s Winning Application.

According to the BCW Data Exchange, the City of New Rochelle ranks number 1 on the top 5 list of most new residents added since 2000 with 7,117. Hear from Mayor Noam Bramson about why New Rochelle is at the top of the list in a new guest blog.