Creating the Yorktown Heights as a "destination" place with an "aesthetically" pleasing downtown center is what Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace has in mind. He unveiled a plan earlier this week to relocate the highway garage from Yorktown Heights and hire a developer to construct in its place a complex comprised of retail, office and residential units.
"I think this is a critical defining point in really turning the Heights area around," Grace said.
The idea of relocating the highway garage – from its Underhill Avenue site to the sewage treatment plant – has been on his agenda since he took office, Grace said.
The two concepts, which were presented in front of business leaders, outlined a vision for a more attractive and pedestrian-friendly area. It would be done at no expense to the town because a private developer would pay for the associated costs, Grace said.
"Restoring that area is going to be incredible for the whole Heights area," Grace said. "You'll begin to create and incentivize really intelligent growth within the rest of the Heights area."
Grace said he encountered criticism early about whether or not there was a need to clean up the highway garage site.
"I'm not that worried about it," he said, adding that if the site is contaminated the town will take responsibility to clean up any waste. "It's an environmentally moral obligation on our part. To turn a blind eye, to pretend it doesn't exist and not wanting to go there, I think is neglectful."
The project calls for one structure, that would be approximately 25,000 square feet and called Depot Square. It is envisioned as the "new town center."
Shrub Oak architect Michael Piccirillo and Yorktown Director of Planning John Tegeder drew the plans for the project. One structure was inspired by the victorian 18th century Whitney House hotel, which once stood where the current highway garage stands.
"I think this is very exciting," Yorktown resident Babette Ballinger said. "The thing that I like about it is that it’s the beginning of a town center, if you will and a central area, and I want to use the word romantic and upscale so that it reflects the kind taxes that we all pay. And it brings people in here, businesses in here, like the kind that used to be here."
Grace said he thinks the project could be completed in a few years, but he didn't give a specific timeline.
He also outlined a proposal for uniform town signs at major intersections in town that would create an "enhanced image for visitors and would aid in directions to landmarks, services and businesses."
"The idea here is to create a real entranceway to the town so that you're in a town that cares about itself, cares about its community and gives you a warm welcome," Grace said.
That project calls for five signs at a cost of $10,000 each. Local businesses would sponsor each sign, Grace said
What do you think of the plans to revitalize the downtown area and relocate the highway garage? Weigh in below.
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