Developer submits plans for Yonkers downtown towers

October 21, 2015/in News, Uncategorized/by Generation Yonkers

Developer submits plans for Yonkers downtown towers

With $1 Billion in Development, GenY Campaign Kicks-Off Round 2

October 6, 2015/in News & Events, Uncategorized/by Generation Yonkers

So how much is being invested in Yonkers at the moment?

One billion … Yup, with a B.

There’s more than $1 billion in commercial and residential development going on in Yonkers at the moment. A few hundred million here, a few hundred million there, and viola … you’ve got yourself major movement in the city.

Mayor Mike Spano made the proclamation this week when he and other business leaders announced the second iteration of the very successful Generation Yonkers campaign – one that shows that Yonkers is the next urban frontier, a happening place to live, work and play.
The campaign, created by Thompson & Bender, captures the excitement and energy that’s going on in Yonkers. Granted, I’m a little biased (I’m a Yonkers native and work at T&B), but after living in these parts for decades, I can tell you that Long Island City, Hoboken and Jersey City got nothing on us. And we’re actually closer to some parts of Manhattan than Brooklyn — with or without an express train.

And we’re hip. The hippest town, in fact, in the Lower Hudson Valley, as voted by the readers of LoHud.com.

Don’t take my word for it. Here’s what others are saying:

“Yonkers is on the cusp of becoming the next Hoboken or Williamsburg. It’s got everything young people are looking for,” says Joe Cotter, President, iPark, whose 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,” says Peter Kelly, renowned chef and owner of X2O Xaviars on the Hudson who was born and raised in Yonkers.

Still not sold? Check out these numbers; they tell the story of a city that has real economic development chops.

$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

Join the excitement. #GenerationYonkers. Be Part of it.

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

October 5, 2015/in News, Uncategorized/by Generation Yonkers

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

October 5, 2015/in News, Uncategorized/by Generation Yonkers

$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 18^th 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

Outdoor Summer Film Series in Yonkers

August 12, 2015/in News & Events, Uncategorized/by Generation Yonkers

Generation Yonkers is thrilled to support an exciting, new summer entertainment option that solidifies Yonkers’ spot as “The Hippest Town in the Lower Hudson Valley” by combining three of our favorite things to savor in summer—film, food and the great outdoors.

In August, Yonkers welcomes Rooftop Films Summer Series at Ridge Hill where residents can enjoy the best of the last days of summer with special screenings of top independent films at Ridge Hill’s outdoor theater overlooking Sprain Ridge Park. Rooftop Films, based on Brooklyn, NY, is a film company dedicated to bringing sophisticated, urban and suburban crowds together for unique and memorable events that inspire an appreciation of independent films.

Come out at 7pm to enjoy a full evening of festivities, including music, entertainment and special food and brew tastings from top Ridge Hill restaurants and Yonkers Brewing Company. Then settle in and enjoy two acclaimed movies on the big screen.

On Wednesday, August 19^th, Rooftop Films will present a screening of the 2015 Oscar winner for Best Picture, Birdman, starring Michael Keaton and written and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu.

On Thursday, August 27^th, come out to enjoy the critically-acclaimed Whiplash, starring Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller in a film written and directed by Damien Chazelle.

Food, music and entertainment begin at 7pm. Films begin at sunset.

Location: 1 Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers, NY (parking lot behind Dick’s Sporting Goods)

For more information, go to www.RidgeHill.com.

Yonkers is Open for Business

July 23, 2015/in News & Events, Uncategorized/by Generation Yonkers

More than two dozen commercial brokers from some of the region’s leading real estate firms on Wednesday joined Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano for a tour of some of the city’s most unique and interesting office spaces.

The trolley tour showcased renovated industrial space, lofts and modern buildings that are affordably priced and appealing to entrepreneurs, start-ups and companies targeting a growing workforce of Millennials. The tour included stops at iPark Lofts, Alexander Smith Carpet Mills, 66 and 86 Main Street, among several others.

It concluded with a reception at Peter Kelly’s Xaviars X2O on the Hudson where Mayor Spano highlighted Yonkers’ great assets, notably restaurants, new rental housing, spectacular views of the Hudson and quick and easy access to Manhattan.

“Whether it’s high-tech, biotech, the arts, healthcare or start-ups, we have incredible space available right here in Yonkers – at a fraction of the cost of New York City and elsewhere in the region,” said Mayor Spano. “Yonkers truly is the best-kept secret in the Metropolitan area and our office space is ideal for smart tenants looking for great space.”

The tour showcased office properties with high ceilings, original hardwood floors, spectacular Hudson River views and lots of potential. Many of these properties offer businesses a creative and appealing office environment that is affordable, accessible and modern, the mayor noted. As part of the tour, landlords, developers and representatives from Mindspark and ContraFect shared their reasons for choosing Yonkers and the city’s cooperative approach to working with businesses.

View a photo gallery of available spaces and check out pictures from the tour.

The trolley tour complements other exciting efforts recently launched by the Generation Yonkers campaign, notably a series of videos that take viewers on virtual tour of some of the unique buildings and loft spaces available throughout Yonkers. Called Space Invaders, the segments showcase many of the buildings highlighted on the tour.

Both the in-person tour and videos draw on Yonkers’ assets: It is just 25 minutes by train to Grand Central Terminal and is accessible to major highways, roadways and bridges, four major airports and public transportation. With its fabulous restaurants, entertainment, shopping and parks, the city is targeting a new generation of business leaders who are looking for quality space at an affordable price and appreciate the great quality of life that Yonkers has to offer. Also notable is that Yonkers was recently named the “Hippest Town” in the Hudson Valley by popular vote on The Journal News’ website LoHud.com.

The Generation Yonkers campaign, which was developed last year, builds on the momentum of many new businesses and exciting development happening throughout the and speaks to Millennials or Generation Y, loosely defined as those born between 1983 and the early 2000’s that represent the next big wave of the nation’s workforce.

Be part of Generation Yonkers. To learn more, call 1-844-GenY-Now, or visit GenerationYonkers.com.