Three vie to remake Mount Vernon

After many years of talk and speculation, it appears as if plans to redevelop Mount Vernon”™s “city center” near the Mount Vernon East Metro-North station are moving ahead.

Three developers, Leyland Alliance L.L.C., Mountco Development Corp. and Mount Vernon Renaissance L.L.C. submitted proposals to redevelop the site.

Initially, only Mountco and Leyland were introduced at a press conference in June as the developers submitting plans for the site. Mount Vernon Renaissance submitted a proposal in July.

All of the developers”™ plans call for a mixed-use project around the area of the train station, with retail, commercial and office components. A new hotel and convention center are also possibilities. Mount Vernon Mayor Ernest Davis has said the mixed-use development with some component of affordable housing is what the city would like to see there.

Leyland”™s proposal would currently consist of 1,500 housing units, 150,000 square feet of commercial space, a public park and a hotel.

Mountco”™s proposal could include up to 1,000 housing units, 50,000 square feet of commercial space, 27,000 feet of office space and a 225-room hotel.

Mount Vernon Renaissance has proposed 130,00 square feet of retail and commercial space, a 250-room hotel, a park and space for a possible new library building. Mountco’s proposal also includes space for a new library and possibly a new YMCA building.

All of the current proposals are subject to change pending the completion of the public comment portion of the process.

Davis has said the project could be funded in a public-private partnership, with the developer, the city, state, and federal government contributing funds.

Tuxedo-based Leyland Alliance is working with architectural firm Robert Orr & Associates.

Leyland President Steve Maun said his company”™s proposal would be based on the planning model called “new urbanism” which stresses vibrant, mixed-use city centers.

“Key of it is to create a great place, it”™s not about a building a tower or one other part or parcel, it”™s about creating a mix of uses,” he said.

Maun said Leyland”™s proposal would stress the importance of retail stores, particularly “mom and pop” stores, on the street level.

Leyland also plans to build a public park that would be created in an area above the train tracks.

Also, Maun stressed the importance of creating an arts community in the redeveloped area, and that art galleries, a theatre, and live music venues would be an important component.

“The vitality of the street life is essential,” he said. “We want to create a place where a person is very comfortable walking around and is excited to come to from a long distance.”

For the residential aspect, Maun proposes a mixture of high-end and work-force housing.

While Mount Vernon has lagged behind other Westchester County cities in development, Maun believes it is ripe for renewal.

“Especially with Mount Vernon sitting so close to Manhattan, it”™s an opportunity that I know can happen,” Maun said. “(Mount Vernon) is aching for someone to come in and kick some new life to it.”

Leyland is working with Newburgh on a similar redevelopment plan for that city”™s waterfront.

Both Mountco and Mount Vernon Renaissance have experience building in the city.

Under Mountco’s proposal, the developer would work with Grace Community Development Corp. ”“ formed by community church Grace Baptist Church ”“ and Centerline Capital Group, an investment firm.

John Madeo, vice president of development for Mountco, said that company”™s proposal would seek to tie in the whole downtown area.

“Our concept goes beyond the specific site, our goal is to integrate the site with the rest of the downtown area,” he said.

One example of this would to create walkways to the train station, Gramatan Avenue, nearby parking garages, he said.

“It would be creating new space for the city of Mount Vernon,” he said.

Madeo said building a new public library and YMCA could also be a part of a civic component of the project.