White Plains Westchester’S Thriving Commercial, Cultural, and Civic Hub Is Poised for New Heights in 2012

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Focus On White Plains Westchester’s thriving commercial, cultural, and civic hub is poised for new heights in 2012.

By Liz Connolly

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As the city that houses the second busiest train station in the Metro-North system after Grand Central Terminal, White Plains is a booming metropolis with new businesses, retailers, and restaurants popping up all over. With nearly 57,000 residents and 250,000 visitors each day, “People get here by a number of means, because we are the junction point of most of the roads in the area,” says Mayor Thomas M. Roach. In fact, later this year, the city is doing something new to improve the life of local commuters by opening dedicated bike lanes, which will lead to and from the train station.

Another new project at 250-270 Main Street, the Cambria Suites Hotel, is set to open in 2013. Sure to capture the attention of visitors and residents with its close proximity to City Hall and the center of downtown, this 130-room hotel will feature an underground parking garage, 30,000 square feet of new retail space, and 17,000 square feet of office and retail space in an adjacent building.

“I don’t think you will see another downtown that has as much growth as White Plains”

- New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin

The following is a Q&A with White But what we want to do in the future is make use of this Plains Mayor Roach, who also reverse-911 system, both for emergencies and for people who served for nine years on the Com- opt in for notification on different events and things like that. For mon Council. the targeted groups that want to be advised of those things, we’re going to accommodate them. Q: How will technology evolve and improve during your admin- Q: In addition to new real estate development projects and istration? businesses moving in White Plains, does your administration have any unique plans to generate additional funds for A: One of the biggest complaints the City? you sometimes hear in White Plains is that someone received a parking A: We have an agreement with Clear Channel Communications to ticket. We are trying to prevent this put new electronic signs at our parking garages, and we are going with a rollout of multi-space meters to share in the revenue from the advertising. Clear Channel Com- in all city garages to allow people to munications will provide us with the opportunity to post city and add time remotely— either through non-profit announcements on the electronic signs. a remote pay station, which we have installed in our library, the courthouse and the Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center, or by Q: What green changes has your administration made for use of a cell phone. If you’re running late, you could add time the City of White Plains? through your cell phone and your time would be extended. There is also an application for iPhone and Droid phones that A: When I was a council member, I was a proponent of clean I think people will really use. air legislation similar to what was authorized at Ground Zero for construction projects over a certain size. Since becoming mayor, Q: Speaking of technology advancements, how did the we were able to enact these same guidelines for site plans in the City of White Plains handle the emergency response to Hur- City of White Plains. These guidelines dictate that ultra-low sulfur ricane Irene? diesel must be used instead of off-road diesel. As a result of the unsafe emissions generally released by off-road diesel and linked A: During the recent hurricane, for the first time, the city made to asthma, low-sulfur diesel is a better and healthier option for use of an emergency alert system, and quickly recorded and the city’s long-term future. released an emergency call. Several residents raved about the Another area where the city is trying to go green is by creat- response, and appreciated the information provided. We also ing legislation that offers a benefit to taxi cabs that use hybrid made free parking available in the garages, so people could take technology and to vehicles that have a certain level of mileage. If their cars off the street. All of this worked very well to effect a you’re walking along Main Street, you might just hail a cab, and a very quick recovery effort from the storm. Toyota Prius or Camry Hybrid could pick you up.

Cover Photo: Renaissance Plaza – Fountain at Main St and Mamaroneck Ave. © Photo By Stephen E. Morton WP 3 Focus On special promotional section White Plains

Plains and our enhanced assisted-living license, offers Q: What green and eco-friendly initiatives is your administration proposing for the future? Westchester County a unique senior care option,” says Celina Watson, executive director of The Kensington. “We are excited that our doors are now open and residents are settling in. We’d A: We’re also working with some groups and organizations to love to have you stop by for a visit.” allow White Plains to serve as a site for a rollout of electric vehi- As an enhanced assisted-living facility, The Kensington offers cles. The city already has a number of hybrid and alternate fuel seniors a pleasant living environment in luxurious suites from vehicles, but as we move into the era of private vehicles being which they will not need to move if their level of care changes. powered by electricity, it is important to start exploring the option This is also known as “aging in place.” Designed exclusively with of making electric charging available to residents and visitors. As the needs of seniors in mind, The Kensington features licensed a transit hub, we are the perfect location to create a public charg- nurses on-site around the clock; medication/diabetes manage- ing station. ment that includes injections; a physical therapy center on-site; a In addition, we recently met with a few solar energy compa- geriatric physician on-site; and much more. nies to learn more about different ways to install solar panels The Kensington also has two floors devoted exclusively to onwith our city buildings. seniors who need memory care. One floor supports seniors in the Lastly, we are always looking to incorporate environmental early to middle stages of memory loss, while the other secures requirements into construction projects, whether it’s storm-water and caters to seniors in the middle to late stages of memory loss. management, clean air, or noise reduction. With two full-time Activities Directors on hand, seniors have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities including cooking, book and gardening clubs, exercise classes, computer Healthcare Sector Thriving in lessons, and regular shopping trips. “The Kensington is a great asset to the City because it is White Plains keeping our local residents in the community, in close contact Downtown Living Opens Its Doors to Senior Citizens with their families and friends,” says Mayor Roach. “It provides help to seniors who need assistance with day-to-day activities, n early September 2011, Maple Avenue received a new neigh- but don’t need a nursing home.” Ibor with the opening of The Kensington, a high-end assisted The Kensington also takes every possible measure to keep living facility in White Plains. seniors secure, with safety features that surpass New York State “The Kensington, with our location in the heart of White building requirements. In addition to a building structure that uses non-combustible materials, the building has an enhanced fire safety early-warning smoke detection system, off-site moni- toring that immediately notifies fire and medical departments in emergencies, and a sophisticated smoke purge system. With the opening of The Kensington, Mayor Roach stressed the new prospects for healthcare employment, offering “upward mobility” in White Plains.

White Plains Hospital Offering Quality Healthcare < < The Kensington Facility and Staff Members White Plains Hospital Cancer Treatment Center

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art of the appeal of opening an assisted living facility in Pdowntown White Plains is the quality healthcare services available down the street at White Plains Hospital. Located on a 500,000 square foot campus, the hospital leads the region in advanced medical technology, and has a reputation for both clini- cal excellence and outstanding personalized care. Its Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center is the only cancer program in Westchester County to receive an outstanding achievement award from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The Center has the most advanced radiation therapy and comprehensive services. The William & Sylvia Silberstein Neonatal and Maternity Cen- ter has received the highest recognition available for a community hospital when it comes to caring for premature newborns—a Level III NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). The hospital deliv- ers 2,000 babies a year. The Westchester Orthopedic Institute boasts an award-winning staff of orthopedic physicians, who are specialists in joint replacement, sports medicine, and hand and micro-vascular sur- gery. For the past five years, the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association also recognized the hospital’s Regional Stroke Center as an award-winning center since receiv- ing the Get With the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Achievement award. < Since opening an expanded emergency department in 2010 Office building and space available at 445 Hamilton Avenue with state-of-the-art computer and information systems, the hospital has also received acknowledgment for its outstanding imple- mentation of Electronic Medical Record technology. Office Suites also has locations in Manhattan, across from Grand By making use of cutting edge innovation and equipment, and Central Terminal, and in Mount Kisco, Scarsdale, Stamford, and a highly skilled staff, White Plains Hospital is a leader in health- Harrison. care, and the only community hospital in the county licensed to perform emergency and elective angioplasty in its cardiac cath- eterization lab. A few other examples of the hospital’s advancements in medical technology include its itsrobotic daVinci BID Helping to Grow Downtown Surgical System for minimally invasive procedures, a 64-slice CT scanner, and the RapidArc radiation therapy system. “The continuous expansion of White Plains Hospital’s facilities and the opening of The Kensington fit into the City’s strategy of trying to expand medical uses in our downtown area,” says Mayor Roach.

Executive Office Space Available on Hamilton Avenue

ust under one mile from White Plains Hospital and the White JPlains train station, Stark Office Suites, an executive office space, is situated on the 11th floor of 445 Hamilton Avenue.

Stark Office Suites has approximately 19,000 square feet of < Main Street between Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd and Renaissance Sq. office suites featuring a full-service office with furniture, Internet access, phone and fax, and a shared receptionist, waiting room, conference room and kitchen. ince opening its doors in 1998, the White Plains Downtown Individual offices range from 100 to 300 square feet, and SBusiness Improvement District (BID) has remained commit- Stark Office Suites generally appeal to attorneys, financial ted to enhancing the economic, social and cultural landscape executives (private equity, hedge fund and financial advisors), of the City’s Central Business District. Thanks to the nonprofit consultants, and entrepreneurs. Currently 90 percent occupied, corporation focusing its efforts on activities and initiatives that Stark Office Suites in White Plains has availability for new ten- make relocation to downtown an attractive proposition, more ants, reports Ben Blumberg, executive vice president. Stark businesses and restaurants have opened their doors.

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provides sidewalk cleaning, sanitation and beautification; hosts special events; and is an advocate on behalf of members.

Programs Improving White Plains’ Appearance

n order to help make White Plains’ downtown attractive and Iappealing to all residents and visitors, the White Plains Down- town BID enacted the Clean Sweep program. The Clean Sweep team, recognizable by its bright yellow T-shirts, is continuously walking through the downtown, sweeping the sidewalks and emptying the litter. With the Clean Sweep

< program, more than 2,100 Caspi signs are the retail shops at the bottom of the building along Church Street. bags of garbage per month are collected. “The cleaner the down- With 145 properties downtown comprised of 5.5 million town, the more willing square feet of office and retail space, the White Plains Downtown people are to come to shop, BID has a variety of members including small business owners, eat and spend their leisure national retailers, Fortune 500 Companies and industry-leading time,” says Kevin Nunn, commercial property owners. The nonprofit corporation works tirelessly to market and promote its members’ businesses and < The BID’s GumBuster events; produces streetscape improvements and enhancements;

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executive director of the White Plains Downtown BID. “The Clean Down the street at 175 Main Street, Sofrito has authentic Sweep program has been praised by property owners, retailers, Puerto Rican food mixed with a Caribbean atmosphere and and visitors alike for the marked improvement downtown.” appealing decor. With the origin of Sofrito being defined as an The City of White Plains and the White Plains Downtown BID aromatic mix of herbs and spices, used as a base flavoring and also partnered to acquire a GumBuster machine for the City. The seasoning in Latin food, the restaurant presents a taste of the machine removes gum from the sidewalks by using steam and a island of Puerto Rico in the heart of Westchester. non-toxic chemical solution, leaving the sidewalk gum-free. Mer- Another new hotspot worth checking out is Impulse Hibachi chants rave about the machine and there is often a waiting list for Bar and Lounge, located at 32 Mamaroneck Avenue, which has the service. cafeteria-style dining at mod tables, and entertainment as a chef “A new initiative the White Plains Downtown BID is developing prepares meals tableside. Mamaroneck Avenue is also the place with the city is to replace unsightly and proliferating news racks to be for the weekend crowd and those looking to relax at a bar downtown with multi-use racks that are more aesthetically pleas- or club after a long day or week of work. A few well-known places ing and consistent with existing street furniture,” says Nunn. include Black Bear Saloon, The Brazen Fox, James Joyce Public House, Prophecy Restaurant, and Wicked Wolf Tavern.

The newest restaurants and eateries highlighted by the Downtown Upcoming Events: BID as opening in the last year are: **Community Events Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza (regional pizza chain with armers’ Markets are still being held every Wednesday from 8 authentic coal-burning stoves) Fa.m. to 4 p.m. on Court Street between Main Street and Mar- 264 Main St tine Avenue through November 30; individual vendors set prices. The Downtown BID and city are also working to plan its annual Cheeburger Cheeburger (voted best burgers in 29 cities) New Year’s Eve Spectacular on Saturday, December 31, celebrat- 84 Mamaroneck Ave ing with music, a pyrotechnic show at midnight, a countdown, and the ball drop. Delicious Licks (self-serve frozen yogurt) 60A Mamaroneck Ave **Business Events Businesses are also able to take advantage of regular networking Five Guys (hamburgers and hot dogs) events on the last Wednesday of every month at 8 a.m., and in 240 Main St the evenings on the last Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. Ichiro (Asian restaurant with a French flair) 80-82 Mamaroneck Ave New Dining Options in Milonga Arepas & Tapas Grille (second location serving White Plains authentic Colombian arepas and tapas) 74 Mamaroneck Ave hite Plains offers an assortment of dining options—in par- Wticular, two new restaurants on Main Street, which came up Pancheros (fast and casual fresh Mexican restaurant) in conversation with Mayor Roach and Assemblywoman Paulin: 38 Mamaroneck Ave Serafina and Sofrito. Serafina opened its doors in April, offering Northern Italian cuisine, and is located next to the Ritz Carlton Pranzi Enoteca Ristorante Italiano (Italian restaurant) Residences at 199 Main Street. Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato 8 City Center started the restaurant to appeal to local families, children, cou- ples, and professionals. Where to Stay in White Plains While on Business

usiness travelers and visitors to White Plains can stay in Bcomfort at one of the city’s magnificent hotels or extended- stay properties. “White Plains is a vibrant city with a wide variety of accom- modations, including The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester, Crowne Plaza, the Esplanade Hotel and Corporate Suites, Residence Inn by Marriott, Hyatt Summerfield Suites, and the AKA Westchester, which provides furnished apartments for long-term guests,” says

< Natasha Caputo, director of Westchester County Tourism & Film. Serafina Restaurant 199 Main Street

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Arts & Entertainment in White Plains

isitors on business or leisure can “Vtake advantage of exceptional entertainment, as well as arts and culture offerings at venues from the White Plains Performing Arts Center, to the Music Conservancy of Westchester, the Arts Exchange and the gallery at Westchester Community College’s Center for the Arts, as well as the City Center 15 Cinema,” adds Caputo. In the next year, the White Plains Per- forming Arts Center (WPPAC) will feature the 1983 Tony Award winner for best musical, book, costumes, lighting, direc- tion and featured actress – CATS (Dec. 9-18 and 28-30, 2011); the 2010 Tony Award nominee for the best revival of a play − Lend Me a Tenor (March 9-18, 2012); and the 1991 Tony Award win- < ner for best book of a musical, featured White Plains Performing Art Center actress in a musical and scenic design – The Secret Garden (May 11-20, 2012) on Mainstage. The organization focuses on using local professional talent, as well as frequently bringing Broadway performers to White Plains because of their close proximity. “WPPAC offers plays, musicals, and concerts, and hosts special events throughout the year that cater to any kind of audience member. We are very family-friendly,” says Jeremy Quinn, producing artistic director for WPPAC. “Our aim is to provide as much variety in the season as possible, so there’s something for everyone at affordable prices. We also strive to produce the most current titles available, when possible, just in case residents north of the city weren’t able to catch them when they were playing on Broadway.” The Conservatory Theatre youth productions, for ages 8-25, also have Xanadu (Nov. 4-6, 2011), The Rocky Horror Show (Jan. 13-15, 2012) and the Laramie Project (April 13-14 and 20-21, 2012) as part of its upcoming season. “With classes, workshops and fully produced productions, the Conservatory Theatre stands apart in our offering of opportunities to focus on proper, method-based technique, within a unified professional approach,” explains Quinn. For more information about the White Plains Performing Arts Center, including meet- ing space availabilities, call (914) 328-1600 or visit wpacc.com. The City of White Plains is also home to ArtsWestchester, formerly the Westchester Arts Council, which is located at the Arts Exchange at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue. For more information, go to www.artswestchester.org

Shopping in White Plains

hite Plains has a plethora of retail stores, including Walmart, Sears, Macy’s WBloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Target, and two retail malls. The Westchester and The Galleria at White Plains are both operated by Simon Property Group, Inc. and within one mile of each other. “Featuring many of the world’s finest retailers, The Westchester has helped anchor much of the development in White Plains during the past 16 years, and is a major contributor to its economic viability, truly establishing the city as a major shopping and visitor destination,” says Paula Kelliher, area director for The Westchester and The Gal- leria at White Plains. “These latest rounds of retail additions and store renovations will continue that trend by creating jobs, and further solidifying our reputation as a renowned upscale fashion center that rivals Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.”

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The Westchester recently expanded its social media reach, so visitors can learn more about the latest happenings at the mall. Customers should also visit Simon.com to see the mobile applica- tions available to enhance the shopping experience for visitors. To check out The Westchester on Facebook, go to: www.facebook.com/TheWestchester, and to follow the mall activities on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/TheWestchester.

Focus on White Plains Resource Directory

Brooks Brothers 125 Westchester Avenue, White Plains 914-644-8616 www.brooksbrothers.com

City of White Plains, Office of the Mayor 255 Main Street, White Plains (914) 422-1411 www.cityofwhiteplains.com/index.aspx

Stark Office Suites 445 Hamilton Avenue, White Plains 914-220-8300 www.starkofficesuites.com < Interior of The Westchester The Kensington 100 Maple Avenue, White Plains Anchored by Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, The Westchester 914-290-4781 has more than 150 of the world’s finest specialty stores in its www.thekensingtonal.com upscale 827,000-square-foot property. Loft, Little MissMatched, Lovesac, Pandora, Sperry Top-Sider, and Victorinox recently The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester opened at The Westchester, and Madewell and C. Wonder will Three Renaissance Square, White Plains open later this fall. 914-946-5500 In addition, Ann Taylor, Steve Madden and J. Jill have fresh www.RitzCarlton.com/Westchester new looks with complete renovations to their stores. The Westchester consistently focuses on updating its retail Westy Self Storage mix, offering fresh new store concepts and unsurpassed service. 179 Westmoreland Ave, White Plains Another store at The Westchester, Brooks Brothers, is also 914-997-7771 working hard to serve its customers, in particular, by helping oth- www.westy.com ers. During the upcoming holiday season, Brooks Brothers will host an annual shopping event on behalf of St. Jude Children’s White Plains Downtown Business Research Hospital. Improvement (BID) District Customers at The Westchester can now shop for Brooks Broth- 237 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains ers’ children’s collection, the Fleece girls’ collection, carrying Suite 305, White Plains everything from school clothes to party dresses. The retailer also 914-328-5166 debuted a collegiate collection with its fall line for both men and www.wpbid.com women .To visit Brooks Brothers at The Westchester, enter at street level adjacent to P.F. Chang’s. White Plains Hospital As The Westchester continues to grow more businesses and 41 East Post Road, White Plains the holiday season approaches, the mall is looking to hire sea- 914-681-0600 sonal staff. To view the latest job opportunities, visit www.simon. www.wphospital.org com. Brooks Brothers is also looking to hire sales associates and store support associates this fall.

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