New Rochelle mayor boasts of strong economy in State of the City Address

New Rochelle’s Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert, who is the city’s 24th mayor, says that the development that has been underway in New Rochelle will generate $260 million dollars in revenue for the city over the next 20 years. She pointed out that the real estate on which the downtown redevelopment has taken place would only be generating $30 million in revenue for the city over 20 years without the new buildings.

“The state of the New Rochelle economy is strong,” Ramos-Herbert said in her first State of the City Address after her election last November. She succeeded Noam Bramson, who had decided not to run for reelection after having served as mayor since 2006.

“Over the past year, we’ve increased our rainy day fund – a critical pool of resources for our city – by more than $2 million,” Ramos-Herbert said. “We’ve also seen that more and more people are choosing to spend their money in New Rochelle, showcasing the vibrancy of our city and how we continue to attract people to our great city.”

Ramos-Herbert’s State of the City Address was given at the Remington Boys & Girls Club. She pointed out that the city’s financial position has allowed it to address environmental concerns, including flood mitigation efforts and green infrastructure projects. She said the city has identified more than 100 such projects totaling $350 million in costs.

“Make no mistake, climate change is real, it’s here, and we are feeling its impacts acutely” Ramos-Herbert said. “Once-in-a-generation storms and extreme weather are happening multiple times a year. I’ve spoken with residents who have shared that even the thought of a rainstorm triggers significant anxiety and has a significant impact on their quality of life.”

Ramos-Herbert said that the city has increased its support for small businesses with new events that draw crowds such as the New Rochelle Street Fair.

“The city is also sponsoring grants to restore and renovate commercial storefronts as renovated facades stabilize property values and leverage new investment in businesses and the neighborhood,” Ramos-Herbert said.

She noted that the city has secured $41.7 million in grants to transform Memorial Highway from a six-lane road into a local street and linear park that will connect the Lincoln Avenue neighborhood to the city’s downtown. A plan to redo the train station is expected to boost New Rochelle’s attractiveness as the last stop in Westchester for Metro-North riders taking advantage of the new direct link to Penn Station that’s being built.

“Let us embrace the promise of progress, the pursuit of excellence, and the power of collaboration,” Ramos-Herbert said. “Together, we will start New Rochelle’s next chapter charting a course towards a future where prosperity is not just a vision, but a reality for every citizen.”