The project to create a new Transit Center in New Rochelle, which would include preserving and enhancing the original train station building dating from 1887, has moved forward with the architectural firm FXCollaborative releasing renderings of its new design concept.
“We move one step closer in turning our historic transit center into a modern, dynamic hub that will drive the city’s growth for generations to come,” said New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert. “It’s not just about revitalizing the station; it’s about creating a vibrant, accessible space that connects our diverse communities, fosters activity, and sets the stage for future development. The redesign will serve as a model for cities across the region, demonstrating how smart, sustainable infrastructure can enhance both daily life and long-term economic vitality.”
Created in consultation with Amtrak, the Metro-North Railroad and Westchester County, the plan is designed to create more than just a place to arrive or depart on trains and buses. The Transit Center is envisioned as a destination in its own right as a pedestrian-friendly hub with a multi-use plaza, green spaces, and features such as a podcast studio.
According to John Schuyler, partner in FXCollaborative, “By integrating sustainable elements like the reuse of existing structures, targeting LEED Gold certification, and exploring the potential for a net-zero, all-electric train station, we aim to minimize the carbon footprint while maximizing the station’s functionality. Through thoughtful design, we’re creating a space that seamlessly connects the dynamic and diverse neighborhoods of New Rochelle, while positioning it as a forward-thinking catalyst for growth and downtown revitalization.”
By 2027, New Rochelle is scheduled to be the first city in Westchester County with direct Metro-North commuter rail access to both Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station. Completion of the MTA Penn Station Access project is expected to dramatically increase daily ridership through the New Rochelle Transit Center to more than 15,000.
Rendering credit: FXCollaborative
Specific elements that have emerged include raising and adding crosswalks to reorganize vehicle flow, incorporating strategic landscaping, improving stormwater management, and adding better signage and lighting. The existing bus terminal would receive new stair towers, new exterior finishes and solar panels on the roof.
When the city announced its intent to create a modern Transit Center in May 2023, then-Mayor Noam Bramson said, “New Rochelle’s Transit Center is at the very heart of our community: the focal point of the most ambitious downtown development in New Rochelle’s history, and our chief connection to the larger world, from the core of New York City to the entire Northeast Corridor. The daily experience of thousands of residents and commuters, both train and bus, is shaped by the station’s condition.”
Bramson underscored that when Metro-North begins service to Penn Station New Rochelle will become the community closest to Manhattan with direct access to the East and West Sides.
