NEW ROCHELLE – A plan to transform the city’s downtown is officially in motion with the unveiling Oct. 10 of a downtown retail strategy by Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert.
The plan, which was already approved by the City Council, marks a significant milestone in the city’s evolution as a dynamic urban destination for locals, new residents, and visitors, according to Ramos-Herbert.
It includes the creation of New Rochelle’s Vanguard District and a suite of initiatives to further transform the city’s downtown into a destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, including public realm and accessibility improvements, retail enhancements, and tenant incentives.
There are plans to include a more diverse and vibrant retail ecosystem and build 10,000 new housing units, which has attracted $2.2 billion in private investment to the city.
“Retail plays a crucial role in shaping thriving city environments, and this plan will help to cultivate a city that flourishes economically, socially, and culturally,” said Mayor Ramos-Herbert. “The downtown retail strategy will have a transformative impact on our city, generating bustling streets and enriching community interactions, while creating job opportunities, driving visitation, and elevating New Rochelle’s profile as a place to live, work and visit.”
The Vanguard District encompasses the area bounded by LeCount Place (across the street from New Roc City), Main Street, North Avenue, and Huguenot Street and other areas of the downtown. That will create broader pathway for revitalization throughout the city. The city will modernize outdated code restrictions within the district that will remove barriers that previously prohibited bars and experiential businesses, along with relaxed parking requirements, transforming ground-floor spaces.
Other keys to the downtown retail strategy are:
- A tenant improvement program will provide financial support for physical improvements and relocation costs to aspiring retail establishments looking to occupy vacant retail spaces throughout the downtown. It will include $2.25 million in grants that will prioritize opportunities for businesses that will contribute to the vibrancy of downtown New Rochelle.
- Streetscape beautification and safety improvements, including street furniture, parklets, decorative plantings, increased maintenance and cleaning, lighting upgrades, placemaking, and wayfinding improvements. The plan also focuses on creating safer pedestrian connections to enrich the experience for both residents and visitors.
- Retail enhancements through pop-ups and revitalizing storefronts.
In the Vanguard District, These updates will attract a diverse range of new tenants, from bars and gyms to live music venues, outdoor dining spots, artisan production spaces, and more—creating a vibrant and dynamic street-level experience.
“Our new strategy will support the wonderful business owners that call New Rochelle home and welcome an array of new businesses to an enlivened and attractive downtown,” said Adam Salgado, commissioner of development at the City of New Rochelle. “Locals, visitors, and newcomers can look forward to our city’s continued evolution into a diverse cultural hub with a mix of top-notch dining, outstanding local art, entertainment, and more.”
The downtown plan comes on the heels of the unveiling of the city’s proposed Transit Center in New Rochelle, which would include preserving and enhancing the original train station building dating from 1887. The architectural firm FXCollaborative recently released renderings of its new design concept. That firm will be critical in the development of the downtown plan as well.
The downtown retail strategy was developed by the City of New Rochelle’s Department of Development with recommendations from the Retail Task Force, which was convened by the New Rochelle City Council in 2022.
The New Rochelle City Council received the proposed plan on Sept. 10, and it was approved on Oct. 15.
