Mayor Mike Spano Unveils Launch of the Second Generation of the City’s Generation Yonkers Marketing Campaign

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Mayor Spano Announces Major Milestone for Yonkers: Over $1 Billion in Development Under Way in the City!

YONKERS, NY (October 5, 2015) – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today unveiled the second generation of the Generation Yonkers marketing campaign, a groundbreaking economic development initiative designed to position Yonkers as the next great urban frontier to live, work and play.

The new campaign, which was developed by the Westchester-based advertising agency Thompson & Bender, features testimonials from prominent business leaders whose companies have recently moved to Yonkers, opened new start-ups or expanded their operations in the City. The campaign kicked off today with ads running for 10 weeks on Cablevision’s News 12 to be followed by a print and digital advertising campaign.

As confirmation of the success of the original Generation Yonkers campaign launched last year, Mayor Spano announced that Yonkers currently has more than $1 billion in commercial and residential projects under development.

“The development activity currently under way in Yonkers is unprecedented. The fact that the private sector is investing over a billion dollars in Yonkers undoubtedly demonstrates that our city is one of the most dynamic and exciting urban centers in the tri-state region. Clearly, the Generation Yonkers campaign is resonating with the business and real estate community. The second generation of the campaign launched today will further build on the tremendous success we’ve enjoyed over the past year,” said Mayor Spano at a news conference held today at X2O Xaviars on the Hudson restaurant. He was joined by many of the business leaders featured in the new campaign.

 

Here is what some of the business leaders featured in the new campaign are saying about Yonkers:

 

“The pro-business climate in Yonkers is remarkable. We’re thrilled to be part of the economic renaissance underway in Yonkers,” said Patricia Simone, President, Simone Management Group. Simone is building the Boyce Thompson Center, a $35 million mixed-use complex of office, medical and retail space on the site of the former Boyce Thompson Institute property in Yonkers. Even before breaking ground for the project in June, 15,000 square feet of space was already leased.

 

“Yonkers is on the cusp of becoming the next Hoboken or Williamsburg. It’s got everything young people are looking for,” said Joe Cotter, President, iPark. Cotter’s company is transforming a building in his iPark complex in Yonkers into 100 micro-unit, loft-style apartments targeted to Millennials.

 

“People are rushing to Yonkers now. They’re discovering what I’ve known for a lifetime,” said Peter Kelly, renowned chef and owner of X2O Xaviars on the Hudson. Born and raised in Yonkers, Kelly has always envisioned Yonkers as a Gateway to the Hudson Valley. That vision has taken shape with his X2O waterfront restaurant where guests enjoy world-class cuisine and spectacular sunsets over the Palisades.

 

“There is a transformation going on in Yonkers that mirrors how we transform lives through education,” said Judith Huntington, President, The College of New Rochelle, School of New Resources. CNR recently opened its new School of New Resources campus on Ashburton Avenue. It is the first undergraduate degree program to be offered in downtown Yonkers.

 

“Yonkers has a warm community, big city feel with good restaurants and a great waterfront,” said Jairo Paredes. Operations Manager, Mindspark Interactive. In what was once an old factory building, Mindspark is now designing today’s latest digital applications for online audiences.  

 

“We’re happy to be in Yonkers and a big part of the city’s economy for the last 100 years,” said Kelly DeAngelo, Refinery Manager, American Sugar Refining. American Sugar Refining has more than 250 employees at its headquarters in downtown Yonkers. One third of their workforce comes directly from Yonkers, which offers a large and diverse labor pool and easy access to mass transit.

 

Other business leaders featured in the new campaign include: Valentina Stanislavskaia, Data Engineer, Mindspark Interactive; Sandia Trent, Business Intelligence Analyst, Mindspark Interactive; and Leo De La Cruz, Owner, Le One Fashions.

The first phase of the Generation Yonkers campaign, which was launched in April 2014, included print and digital advertising in local and regional media as well as extensive use of social media, search engine marketing and a new website, generationyonkers.com. The second phase of the campaign included television spots that ran on targeted channels. A dedicated CBS radio sponsorship was created specifically for the campaign, targeting business professionals and ran during the CBS opening bell report, gaining extensive exposure for Yonkers throughout the tri-state area.

 

Since the initial launch 18 months ago, the Generation Yonkers campaign has generated nearly 5 million print impressions; 2.5 million online impressions; 35.8 million radio impressions; 2.3 millions TV impressions and more than 40,000 visits to the website.

 

 

Media Contacts:

Christina Gilmartin
Communications Director, Office of the Mayor
City Hall: 914-377-6208
Cell: 914-512-4017
Christina.gilmartin@yonkersny.gov

 

Dean Bender
Thompson & Bender
(914) 762-1900
Dean@thompson-bender.com

 

 

 

 

$1 Billion of Economic Development in Yonkers

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$1 Billion of Economic Development in Yonkers

 

Larkin Plaza | $200 Million

 

Located just steps away from the Yonkers Metro North station and directly across from the award-winning daylighted Saw Mill River Park, RXR Realty & Rising Development will build 25-story and 17-story residential unit towers and 40,000-square-feet of ground-level retail and restaurant space.

 

Teutonia Buena Vista | $149 Million

 

Located at the site of the former Teutonia Hall, an 18th Century German Opera Hall in Downtown Yonkers, Metro Partners, whose other Yonkers projects include the successful 66 Main and Trolley Barn developments, will build a 360-unit, 24-story residential tower on Buena Vista Avenue.

 

Fed Ex | $121 Million

 

Fed Ex is relocating from the Bronx to Yonkers. Demolition of existing buildings is currently underway to make way for a 123,000-square-foot regional distribution center on Tuckahoe Road, providing the company with easy access to Yonkers’ network of highways which include I-87, Sprain Brook Parkway, Saw Mill River Parkway and Cross County Parkway.

 

Palisades Point | $115 Million

 

Located on Yonkers’ beautiful Hudson River waterfront, the Palisades Point development will add nearly 600,000-square-feet of residential space to the downtown. The 6-story, 324-unit buildings will directly connect residents to Yonkers’ river esplanade, parks and restaurants.

 

River Tides | $100 Million

 

One of the largest residential developments currently under construction in Yonkers in recent years, Ginsburg Development Companies’ (GDC) River Tides is a 330-unit luxury rental complex located just a short walk from the Greyston Metro North Station. The 10-story building features a mix of studio through 3-bedroom units.

 

Hudson River Park Club | $85 Million

 

The third and final phase of Collins Enterprises’ successful Hudson Park residential complex, Hudson River Park Club is a new 230,000-square-foot, 16-story downtown waterfront residential building with one- and two-story rental units.

 

The Boyce Thompson Center | $35 Million

 

Simone Development is transforming the long-abandoned Boyce Thompson Institute on North Broadway across the street from Alder Manor and the Lenoir Preserve into a modern 85,000-square-foot mixed-use complex of offices, medical space and retail. Before even breaking ground, Simone leased 15,000 square feet to St. John’s Riverside Hospital.

 

Cintas | $25 Million

 

Uniform-cleaning & maintenance company Cintas will build its regional operations center in South Westchester Executive Park. The 60,000-square-foot facility will be the base of service operations for the company’s metro area customers, relocating 160 jobs to North Yonkers.

 

UNO Micro Units at i.Park | $15 Million

 

Located in the former Otis Elevator complex in downtown Yonkers, the UNO project by National Resources Development will transform the existing structure into loft-style rentals and add an additional four stories to the building. Units will feature ceilings ranging from 14 to 20 feet, oversized industrial windows and open floor plans.

 

Other Projects | $216.25 Million

 

  • 188 Warburton | $29 Million
  • Adira Rehab at St. John’s Riverside Hospital | $26 Million
  • Courtyard by Marriott at South Westchester Executive Park | $24 Million
  • Grant Park II | $22 Million
  • Met Lofts Luxury Condominiums on Palmer Road | $21 Million
  • Hilton Hampton Inn on Tuckahoe Road | $20 Million
  • GDC’s 55-Unit Residential Building on Warburton Avenue | $18 Million
  • 470 Nepperhan Ave | $13.50 Million
  • FLY Indoor Skydiving at Ridge Hill | $10 Million
  • OZ Moving | $10.5 Million
  • Alder Manor | $8.5 Million
  • 179 Saw Mill River Road | $7.25 Million
  • Fast Linen | $4 Million
  • Leggiadro | $2.5 Million

 

 

Who needs SoHo when there’s SoYo?

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Brooklyn, Chelsea, Hoboken and other happening hoods are on fire right now (and have been for years), however, Yonkers is giving them a run for their money. New York’s fourth largest city has come a long way in recent years and now it’s offering companies great ways to do business — at a quarter of the price that these hot metropolitan areas cost.

Where else can you get 10,000, 20,000 or potentially 1 million square feet of office space with water front views at a fraction of New York’s soaring real estate price tags?

Yonkers. New York’s other borough.

The buildings available in Westchester County’s hippest town give you more than just space; they come with history, flavor and grand architecture — high ceilings, vast windows and original hard wood floors. Some locations, notably 86 Main Street, have wide open space and waterfront views that include the majestic backdrop of the Palisades. A bonus is that it’s just a short walk to the newly opened Yonkers Brewery and all of its crafty splendors.

Catch a glimpse of this incredible layout in this GenerationYonkers program, Space Invaders, which provides a virtual first-hand look into the building:

Space Invaders | Episode 01: iPark Lofts

A few blocks away are the old Alexander Smith Carpet Mills (500 Nepperhan Ave.), buildings that are practically calling out to artists. It has up to 1 million sq. feet that are ready to be occupied by artists and the creative class. This loft space is ideal for gallery space as it comes with incredibly high 15 foot ceilings and windows that are hard to find this side of the 21st Century.

If you’re thinking of moving your company, look no further than Yonkers, the City of Gracious Living. It’s just 30 minutes from New York City at a pittance of what you’re going to pay in other hoods. How can any cost-conscious business owner pass up on such great offers that Yonkers has?

Brooklyn, Chelsea and Hoboken were much like Yonkers 20 and even 30 years ago. C’mon, be ahead of the curve. Be part of it.

High End Retailer Relocating From Manhattan to Yonkers

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A luxury women’s retailer is relocating its mid-town Manhattan manufacturing space to … drumroll please — downtown Yonkers.

Rubin Paints

Leggiadro International Inc., which has stores on Madison Avenue, Beverly Hills, Nantucket, Naples and Santa Barbara, among other high end locales, is headed to Main Street in Yonkers. The company purchased 65 Main Street where it plans on converting the building into its design studio, cutting room, warehouse and outlet store. And they’re bringing 20 skilled workers, who according to Mayor Mike Spano, are pulling in an average of $70K a pop.

Leggiadro embraces European luxury fabrication techniques, and its artisans pay close attention to detail to ensure the highest quality possible. They use natural fabrics, woven and knit that are hand selected from the finest mills in France, Italy and Switzerland, according to the company.

The company is purchasing the building for $1.65 million and expects to invest another $1.4 million in construction, furnishings and fit out.

The four-story building, which has long been the home of Rubin Brothers Paint & Wallpaper Co., is way cool – and deceptively large.

LeggiadroNYC2012How do I know? Years ago, friends of mine used to live there. The open spaced, high ceiling lofts were something you’d see in Tribeca, Chelsea or Brooklyn. At a fraction of the cost.

In fact, whenever I talk about awesome open spaces apartments, 65 Main inevitably comes to mind, even 20 years after first stepping foot in the building. It’s really no wonder a fashion company sees the potential.

Mayor Spano called the luxury retailer’s relocation to Yonkers as “a clear signal that we are appealing to an ever wider variety of businesses.”

Leggiadro is joining other great companies such as Mindspark, ContraFect, The Energy Project and Yonkers Brewing, among many others who see the potential.

If you’re looking for the next Brooklyn or Hoboken, Yonkers is clearly the city to watch. Be Part of It @generationyonkers.com.