Consulting design firm H2M architects + engineers and the city of New Rochelle (known as the “Queen City on the sound” recently earned a Diamond Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC NY) for the evaluation and expansion of the sanitary sewer system in New Rochelle’s Downtown Overlay Zone (DOZ).
The DOZ provides unique zoning benefits to allow and encourage up to 12 million square feet of transit-oriented residential and commercial development. To ensure that the sewer system could meet the needs of a developed downtown area, H2M modeled the DOZ’s anticipated sewer capacity requirements and designed a sewer expansion with enhanced infrastructure that roughly doubles the system’s previous capacity. H2M also designed sewer bypasses to enable construction work without disrupting sanitary sewer and other utility services to residents.
The city of New Rochelle estimates that the DOZ developments made possible by this sewer expansion could generate over $76 million in property tax revenue and nearly $49 million in sales tax revenue annually.
“This award-winning project represents a critical investment in New Rochelle’s future,” said New Rochelle City Manager Wilfredo Melendez. “By expanding our sewer system to meet the demands of a growing downtown, we are not only ensuring the resiliency and sustainability of our infrastructure but also creating the foundation for transformative economic development. I am proud of our partnership with H2M, which exemplifies how innovative engineering can drive positive community impact and promote a greater quality of life for generations to come.”
ACEC NY will present the 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards at its annual award gala on April 5 in New York City.
H2M architects + engineers is a full-service consulting and design firm offering the expertise of more than 580 architects, engineers (water supply, civil/site, structural, M/E/P, wastewater and environmental), planners, designers, inspectors, surveyors, and scientists. Its professionals combine their technical experience and specialized market knowledge and respond to clients’ needs.
With its unparalleled location, superb quality of life, diverse and talented residents, a focused business climate and a robust residential and commercial development pipeline, the city of New Rochelle is leading the transformation of a generation. Its close proximity to New York City and opportunities for businesses to grow and succeed in the current economic climate is defining the city as “open for business” – ready to welcome new residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds and embrace smart, transit-oriented development growth patterns that promote open space. Accelerated by a fast-track zoning process along with resources for small businesses and micro-enterprises, the “New Rochelle Model” of development continues to enhance the city’s downtown area and business district by supporting job creation, property values and private investment – while enhancing sustainability and livability through green and energy-efficient design. The city of New Rochelle has been recognized regionally by the state and federal government for its thoughtful citywide infrastructure improvements and advancements, including affordable housing development, the creation of more usable public space and recent ten-year flood mitigation program.
