Letter to the Editor: Is Chappaqua ready for a parking garage at the train station?
With 41 comments since publication
October 7, 2011
by Rob Greenstein
On August 05, I wrote an open letter to the community looking for suggestions on how to make our town better. I asked residents, merchants and students for their ideas on both energizing our commercial centers in the near-term, and on long-term policy matters that should be addressed in a new Town Development Plan.
Even though many people were probably vacationing in August, there were over 120 comments posted, plus I received many private emails. Comments came from residents and merchants alike. Some of the comments focused on inexpensive aesthetics, like moving the Horace Greeley statue downtown and creating a pedestrian plaza on lower King Street on the weekends. Others focused on major structural and drastic changes, like increasing parking and building sidewalks.
The overall consensus seems to be that while many residents would like to retain a quaint town with charm galore, they also want a more vibrant downtown business district. Residents want interesting stores/restaurants and merchants who sell quality products at fair prices. Residents would love to see a Whole Food, Trader Joes, Turco’s or Decicco’s. Some even suggested building a performing arts center with a modern stage to bring downtown alive in the evenings. And it is safe to say we are in agreement that we have enough nail salons, dry cleaners and banks.
However, while many good ideas were suggested, the view of some real estate investors was that the population in Chappaqua is too small to support a tremendous and diverse business district beyond local service establishments (i.e. banks, nail salons, dry cleaners). And that won’t change unless there is an “anchor tenant” that would draw patrons from other towns such as Pleasantville.
I believe we could accomplish many of our goals by building a weather-protected, crime-free, multi-story garage structure at the train station. Our downtown is limited, and the hill on King Street doesn’t help. We have to seriously consider whether it is wise to commit so much downtown acreage for Metro North parking when it unnecessarily constricts the critical mass of our downtown and limits our ability to attract an “anchor tenant”.
Other communities faced with the very same problems as ours have embraced Transit Oriented Developments (“TOD”). With a TOD, Metro North partners with local communities and the private sector to develop residential and commercial centers around its stations. The central component of these TOD is the parking management plan which incorporates a progressive approach to parking. The idea is to reduce the amount of land devoted to parking since a rail station surrounded by large parking lots is unlikely to provide a good environment for commercial and residential development. Two communities that are undergoing Transit Oriented Developments are Beacon and Harrison.
Harrison
This summer, the MTA/Metro-North put out its first ever Request for Proposals for transit-oriented development (TOD). The Project site consists of approximately 3.28 acres of property used primarily for commuter parking. The plan calls for replacing three surface parking lots with a mixed-use development that includes retail space and housing units wrapped around a new parking structure with 600 spots in a garage of up to five stories, with 500 spaces dedicated to commuters. The project also is intended to serve as a catalyst for downtown revitalization in Harrison.
Harrison Mayor Joan Walsh said, “For many years, Town officials have sought to improve the downtown business area, to bring in a wider variety of stores, to make it a destination for residents”. He said “this project comes at just the right time, when there is a trend toward living in a downtown area with the added attraction of the railroad being so close, and with the economy showing signs of improving. With the mix of apartments, retail and ample parking, Harrison’s downtown area is going to be the vibrant, attractive area officials have long sought. We have been very pleased to work with the MTA on this project. It has been years in the planning, and it is indeed a win-win for everyone.”
http://www.mta.info/mta/news/releases/?agency=mnranden=110627-MNR31
Beacon
In Beacon, the TOD is a proposed development for the 22-acre site adjacent to the Beacon train station. The MTA proposed to build a $290 million development to replace the parking lot that is there now. The design includes parking garage with landscaped rooftop “garden” elements, an inter-modal plaza that’s safe and attractive for pedestrians, buses, cars, taxis and bicycles and an expanded and improved train station.
Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus, said: “As part of my priority to strengthen our communities, we have worked closely with Metro-North to advance Transit Oriented Development in Beacon. I am excited about the steps being taken to initiate this project and look forward to improving business and housing opportunities along the Hudson River in Beacon as part of our continued partnership with Metro-North.”
While a Metro North TOD may not be the answer, we need to consider all potential downtown redevelopment ideas, and we need to think outside the box. The point is that we can do more than we have in the past by approaching our downtown with a more open minded and creative approach, and by looking to other communities for ideas.
I am well aware that selling Bell School could accomplish many of the same goals as revitalizing our train station. It would add retail and office use, as well as housing. There is ample parking and it would rejuvenate downtown. The sale of the property would bring considerable revenue, and the tenants would bring in increased tax revenue. But, we should not consider selling Bell if it comes at the expense of negatively impacting our biggest and most important community value anchor, our cherished school district. I’m interested in the discussion on this subject scheduled for October 24 (evening) and October 25 (morning) by Superintendent McKay.
This is why I have suggested establishing a “Five Year Plan” for our hamlet, encompassing town and school board issues. This could be a great mutual project for the liaisons to chair - a Five Year Plan for New Castle - and for both school and town boards to produce together. A Five Year Plan allows the community to beginning discussing and evaluating, in a thoughtful, orderly and strategic manner, our projected student enrollment trends and the options we might have to address mutually beneficial solutions to problems. See “Letter to the Editor: A good step toward a closer working relationship,” NCNOW.org, 9/30/11.
But one thing is certain, our Town Board must take the lead. Our Town Board must be proactive, not reactive. We need to recruit people from our community who have expertise in various industries. We should form a Downtown Development Committee that includes residents, merchants, landlords and government reps. We must work with merchants in both hamlets to form a strong Chamber of Commerce so we have an effective mechanism through which government can work with the landlords and shopkeepers. We also need a real Economic Development Program to develop economic incentives to attract and retain business. Bottom line, we must all work together to make our two hamlets more vibrant. This will lead to an increased sense of community and increased commercial revenues.
Last month, Former President Bill Clinton delivered the Keynote Addresses to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo at the New York Open For Business Statewide Conference in Albany. Both are residents of New Castle. They were joined by State Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli. “What you’re doing (with the Regional Economic Development Councils) is the right thing,” Clinton said. “We need more emphasis on the future, even if we need to give up a little in the present. There is no successful model that does not have public-private cooperation. We have to think of ways to be highly competitive in an increasingly competitive world.”
We too must focus on the future. We must look to other communities for ideas. And we must focus on public-private cooperation.
Rob Greenstein
Rob - excellent article and very enlightening. Great ideas in here and certainly worth exploring. Isn’t it ironic that while you demonstrate how working together can solve problems and better the community in another article in NewCastlenow we learn that our school board and superintendent have endorsed holding 8 budget advisory meetings with no transparency - no public participation.
The reason given for the lack of transparency is that they think we the members of the community, the taxpayers and parents, are a distraction and interruption. I agree with you that we need to work together to find solutions and make improvements to our downtown. Shouldn’t that same spirit and philosophy be present in our CCSD Board and school administration . These people have undue influence over our budgets and taxes and they operate in the dark.
Thinking ahead to winter, I’m ready to have a way to get to my car without climbing snow banks! Yes! Bring on a parking garage!
Strongly disagree with a multi-storied garage structure at the train station.
Rob, we wanted to vote for you, but then you come up with this!
Let’s face it, no one is going to make Chappaqua their shopping destination. Those who shop here have always been locals. It is a false promise to suppose that people are going to come from all over Westchester to shop in Chappaqua.
Meanwhie, a multi-structured parking structure, like Scarsdale, would irreparably destroy the character of the village forever. Imagine just what it would do to the charm of the village station plaza which is the heart of the village, and it is where we hold all our events.
Chappaqua will never be another White Plains or even Mt. Kisco. Would we want it to be?
Please, Rob, think again.
This letter scares most people. The program you set forth does not call for refinements or improvements, but an overhaul and sea change for Chappaqua.
If people moved here for its “quaint” (as you put it) character, why would you want to change it. Living in Chappaqua is like living in a small New England town but only 55 minutes from NYC.
If we wanted to live in a commercial center, we could have moved to White Plains.
You are scaring people with this over-the-top big city planning agenda.
Please don’t get carried away, we thought you were the good guy.
I am deeply chagrined with this mercantile view—that your priority seems to be to make Chappaqua a commercial center.
In addition, do you really think that our merchants can compete with the prices and sales of commercial centers like White Plains, Jefferson Valley Mall,and other shopping venues, given the pricing in the Chappaqua stores, which even locals find prohibitive?
Chappaqua was never a commercial center. Why do you have this mercantile aim for our quiet, peaceful residential community?
It’s not just the snow I’m thinking of when say I favor a parking structure. WHAT, may I ask “Don’t go overboard,” do you find charming and village like about a vast tract of parking????
There’s only one charming (false) thing about it: On a clear, sunny day with leaves gone from the trees, from a high point on King as you descend into the town, the glittering cars in that vast lot give the impression of a glittering body of water. Just for a moment.
To Brrrrr,
What about the safety factor? There have been burglaries in the village area. Would you really feel comfortable going up the elevator or stairway to the third, fourth, or other tiers alone at 11 PM to reach your car?
Currently, the parking field does extend to the police station and there is a police car parked prominently at the station as trains arrive.
I feel comfortable on the open parking field because there are others, even late at night, and I have never had a problem because of the visibility in the open as opposed to people going to separate floors in a closed parking structure.
How is that going to be paid for? Why not call us little White Plains without the business.. Then we can have more communter traffic in town from North Castle and other places without train service. Thanks but no Thanks
“Brrrrr,”
Understand your concern.
But you must admit that the “glittering” cars are not visible from 95% or more of the village or surrounding areas. It is a remarkably well situated parking area.
Dear Brrrrr,
What do you find “charming and village like” about a soaring concrete edifice which our cars shall occupy for the day that towers over most of the tiny buildings in town?
Mr. Greenstein, this sounds a lot like two years ago. Imagine this concrete behemoth sprouting up next to our beautiful train station and war memorial? You might as well demolish the downtown, train station included, and build a concrete wasteland of whatever. I think what we really need is more stringent zoning to better control the absentee landlords, what businesses go in downtown etc… The fact that there is a parking eyesore—er…garage—will not stop the development of nail salons.
“soaring”? “edifice”? “towers over”? Come on. Where’d you get that stuff? I don’t think he said anything about its height OR where it should be placed. “Next to our beautiful train station and war memorial”? Come on. I’d like to see land that’s used for parking be freed for other uses, while still keeping the parking revenue. A structure can do that.
And to another poster: the fact that 95% of the parking lot is not visible to anyone doesn’t make the use of that land for parking any less wasteful. And if it’s so INVISIBLE then what’s the big deal about placing a parking structure on it? It’s NOT VISIBLE—remember?
5 stories in this little village of very low structures (zoned that way)is soaring.
It is the setting that counts.
“To I didn’t see. . . .”
He did say something about the height and where it should be placed.
He says, “I believe we could accomplish many of our goals by building a . . . multi-story garage structure at the train station.”
It seems like every time I write a letter someone responds with a comment like “we wanted to vote for you, but then you come up with this”. I guess that’s the price of transparency. No doubt it would be a lot safer to remain silent. But, I will continue to attempt to engage the community, elicit opinions and let people know what I’m thinking.
These anonymous comments all have one common element - they are exaggerating my position to scare people. Maybe he/she/they have a hidden agenda, I don’t know. But, no one is talking about destroying the character of the village, making Chappaqua another White Plains or Mt. Kisco, a sea change, a big city planning agenda, a soaring concrete edifice behemoth, demolishing the downtown and building a concrete wasteland.
I have not even proposed a height & location for the parking structure. I would leave that job to architects. And the plan would only be approved with input from MANY people, including the community at large. That’s how a transparent government works!
Make no mistake about it, there is nothing quaint with a ghost town. There is nothing quaint about 6 acres of a black topped parking lot. There is nothing quaint about skyrocketing property taxes & lower property values. There is nothing quaint about an unsustainable 3% commercial tax base. And there is nothing quaint about the direction we’re heading right now.
I’m simply suggesting exploring the option of redeveloping our train station as other communities - such as Harrison & Beacon - are doing. I’m suggesting that we consider using the parking lot more efficiently. And I’m suggesting that we explore public-private partnerships to do so.
And for those concerns about a safety factor, I would suggest speaking to commuters who walk to their cars in the back lot @ 10p, as they navigate over ice & mounds of snow. A well-lit, weather protected parking garage with surveillance cameras would be just as safe, if not safer.
Coming from a once vibrant town that fell into despair due to a lack of support of the business district and a leave things alone mentality…it is good to hear lively debate on the future of Chappaqua. Don’t take for granted that people will always move here based on the schools. They are great but other towns also have good schools and a lower tax rate. It doesn’t matter whether you build a parking facility or not at least someone is thinking how they can make this a better place to live…what is important is that the community is surveyed on what they want for the community and not just a handful of people or those that look to block any positive momentum for our Village. We should embrace positive ideas for discussion…while that doesn’t necessarily mean we will do them…it opens up new creative thinking that benefits us all.
I agree with Rob that the massive train station back lot can be converted into a tremendous asset for the community by building a parking structure. Not for a new shopping district but for new open space. The town should use this perfectly flat land to build a sports field complex with lighted fields. We accomplish two things. More much needed sports fields and more people in town through the early evening keeping our town abuzz.
Where were the other candidates when our community faced the biggest threat to our charm & character, a massive condominium development @ Chappaqua Crossing?!?! They were silent. And besides a few choreographed press conferences, the Democrats & Republicans have remained silent throughout this election.
Mr. Greenstein has a proven record of fighting for our community, he isn’t afraid to share his opinions & he stands up for what he believes. While you may not always agree with him, he should not be attacked for doing what every candidate should be doing.
I find his approach very refreshing, and a welcome change. Quite frankly, I’m surprised more people aren’t outraged by the silence of the other candidates.
I would love to hear their opinions about redeveloping the train station, or other suggestions to revitalize our downtown business district.
I love the idea of a parking lot to reclaim land, it could even be partly underground. I would love to swap the reclaimed land for land at Readers Digest. Let them build some condos at the train station and establishments to serve them and give the town some recreational space at RD which is badly needed! There are other alternative ideas we should discuss but we should all bear in mind that we have to find a way to raise revenue or property taxes will double again in 15 years! The calculus of home values is simple; great schools, charming community but at what cost?
Our taxes continue to rise and our home values continue to drop. The number of homes for sale continues to rise and the number of buyers purchase in other communities. Our student enrollment continues to fall and our school budget and taxes continue to rise.
We ONLY get 3% of our tax revenues from a commercial base. We MUST revitalize downtown and draw in more merchants and businesses. A multi-level garage designed, built , and landscaped properly will not be the eyesore people are envisioning. Besides, what’s so nice and beautiful about 6 acres of cement and parked cars we currently have. I applaud Rob for his vision and for his willingness to explore possibilities and options.
If we have any chance of controlling our runaway taxes which are certainly keeping buyers away, we must increase commercial tax revenues. The residential base , the homeowner taxpayer is fed up.
Some where in this discussion, the CCSD School Board must take a stand and demonstrate how they too will control their budget and associated taxes. Sell Bell Middle School. Turn it into some retail and upstairs office space.
Look what happened to Pleasantville after Jacob Burns Center was built. Isn’t it possible we could have some sort of performing arts center, movie theater, live music venue at Bell? By selling Bell we would get needed money back into the school system—remember – reserves have all but gone. We would eliminate redundancies of teachers and staff while cutting transportation costs and reducing traffic. 7 Bridges is new and can accommodate all Middle school children. This is a win – win. Why can’t the school board and the town board work on this together for the greater good of our community? Maybe that’s why the newly formed school budget advisory committee is closed to the public- they don’t want us to know their agenda.
First of all, why people with opinions won’t display there name just shows that they will never get involved and help our cause to begin with. How about voicing your opinion with a name behind it. Then we could all have a discussion.
Rob has good ideas on how to take Chappaqua to a place where stores can survive, and how untapped space can be well utilized. We have a real shortage of fields, and a small and well situated parking garage would certainly free up enough space to create another field for our kids, or just more space for what is really needed there at that time…. 6 extra acres is a lot of space to play with! Well lit, heated and well secured would only be added benefits from a parking garage, and a welcome improvement over what is there now.
“Transparency” would help foster more input from the town and landlords whereby developing better relationships in which to negotiate better options for our town retailers. The only way to stop the imbalance in our towns retail segment is to
1) create a dialogue between the landlords and the town , and
2) create an inviting environment for residents and other people to shop in like ample parking, great stores, and good services and restaurants as well.
This is not about creating another Mt Kisco, and certainly not White Plains,,,,,, but do you really want to see Chappaqua keep going the direction it’s going in… Dry Cleaners, Nail Salons… and good grief…. .Walgreens!!!!!!!! Come on people, step up to the plate and support this… Don’t be afraid to put your name on it either!!
good to have discussion. not sure I am a fan of this idea but we need change. Even if you have more parking, I am not sure the downtown streets can take the additional traffic. Town has no room at 7 bridges for all of the middle schoolers any time soon. Its a fantasy. The most usable and accessable space is actually in Millwood. Train station is pretty but doesn’t get used for anything. Rent it out as a restaurant if someone will have it. Already kitchen facilities there. We don’t need more fields either. Their is no shortage of field space between the parks, schools, wagon road camp, etc. Bars with live music will bring people to the streets at night. Michael’s and Lucy’s bring in a lot of traffic at off hours.
last dollar amount seen for 1 layer parking deck was $25,000 per space.
To Debby Glickman- I served on several youth sports boards and committees over the years and I participated in several parent run school initiatives. I always was out front and open. Unfortunately because of some issues that meant changing programs for the better (in my opinion) some difference of opinion often arises.. Issues included parental coaching , field and court allocation, and travel programs. I , along with a handful of others were targets of unfair criticism. What should have been a pleasurable experience was ruined and our children also suffered. There are many in this town that operate under “whats good for me or what good for my kid” and ignore fairness and ethics. So forgive me and others that choose not to identify ourselves.
A constructive and thoughtful response, idea, or critique is not invalid because one chooses not to post his/her name.
I don’t think that a multilevel parking structure at the train station is necessarily a good idea. I think a better idea, which would support the retail on the other side of the street as well as anything that might be done with the community center and old fire station - would be to elevate the awful Bell sports field to create the following:
1. an elevated field that could be built with turf and proper drainage;
2. a single level of parking that would be covered and protected and be directly behind the stores on Greeley Avenue, and which could support additional uses such as the restaurant that replaced Grappolo and any new use for the community center and the old fire house (performing arts center?)
3. to help finance the (single level, unobtrusive and all season) structure, some retail could be built at the edge of the structure, which could result in the parking area in the back of the stores on Greeley becoming more like a “village green” type of area, such as what Armonk is seeking to build in its downtown area.
The increase in parking would not impact the aesthetics of the town but it would
(1) dramatically increase parking for retail and commuters; and
(2) add a field that would not need to be closed at the first sniff of rain.
I would love to hear any reasons why this would not be beneficial or appealing to the town.
Let’s really liven up the town and put Chappaqua on the map. There must be a descendant of the original Native Americans of Chappaqua who were here even before the Quakers.
They can build a casino at the train station with full gambling facilities just like Mohegan Sun. Think of the night life!
Then we could really attract people to this town, have lots more traffic, and build even more parking structures.
Or we could invite Walmart to anchor a shopping mall. That will certainly bring people.
Forget the increase in traffic on the limited single-lane town roads, the “charm” and the bucolic character of the town so lauded in the RD dispute.
Since some of the discussion here is about the selling of Bell, last night’s (10/11/11) Board of Ed meeting discussed that Bell will still be used as a middle school for the next few years.
See www.chappaqua.patch.com for more details as well as the front page discussion update of the Knowledge Cafe on www.ccsd.ws
If the stores in Chappaqua were not so expensive, residents would shop there. They are mainly exclusive boutiques with very high prices. It is like shopping on Madison Ave. The stores that used to be here were more family oriented in price and goods.
Unfortunately, the current shops face what all mom and pop stores are dealing with, the discount and chain store pricing and sales that offer incredible bargains. And that is not considering the ease and choice offered by online shopping
Sorry about that! But in this economy especially, these shops face tough competition.
I don’t think we want to move chain stores in here. Look how everyone is reacting to Walgreens, which is actually a very useful and thrifty store.
It is not such an easy problem to solve, as some would have it, and no one is at fault. Suppose we just admit that we have a thorny problem with no obvious solution. Be careful that you don’t get what you wish for.
I don’t think people move to Chappaqua for the night life.
Rob is running on the “Transparency in Government” platform but hasn’t filed the paperwork requested by NYS detailing campaign expenditures and donors. Why?
Downtown Chappaqua merchants cannot support paying themselves a salary. No mom and pop store and even some of the bigger ran businesses can support paying the property tax, insurance, offer healthcare, pay utilities, and maintenance; and collect a salary of more then $45,000 per year.
Unless Town Hall figures out a way to increase the body traffic in downtown Chappaqua, we better change the laws to allow for more Walgreen type business to come in, forget about limiting who can occupy first and second floor levels of a building and let the free market decide. It nice to say that Chappaqua is quaint little Town, but the merchants are in trouble due to the cost of living and all other escalating expenses.
We need big publically traded businesses to come into Town that have many shareholders in their company to support their business operations at a loss while being located in Chappaqua. We need to reduce the base cost of merchants that occupy Chappaqua i.e. property tax and other Town generated compliance issues.
Folks, downtown Chappaqua is not making the Moms and Dads who work there any money - It is really tough and any Politician that wants to come up with a plan to roll back expenses or cut out red tape has to be listened too and followed! Who can solve our problems, Kirkwood or Carpenter? Who do we think already holds the answers to our problems?
I have become dismayed in talking to friends and neighbors about why they aren’t shopping downtown. Anyone on the west side of the bridge seems to be opting to shop elsewhere rather than spend 20 minutes in bridge traffic only to then fight for a parking space. I am asking town hall and all local media to launch a PR campaign that Chappaqua is open for business. I am asking townspeople to have just a bit more patience with the bridge construction, but to also be vocal to town hall about over-zealous ticketing. I propose that ticketing be frozen during November/December as a good faith gesture. There are lots of new businesses downtown (KENT opened this week) and we really need your support, especially in our first year of business.
I love brainstorming and energy from Rob and others (parking garage, bars, destination playground, whatever) but if we don’t have steady support of our businesses in the here and now, we’ll be watching tumbleweeds rolling down King Street sooner rather than later. And let’s all plan to give lots of business to the new restaurant going into the Grappolo space. He’s taking a big leap of faith.
Look at Mt. Kisco.
There are 4 stores for rent on one block near HSBC as well as others throughout the town. And Mt. Kisco is a good shopping venue. The town has always been proactive in attracting businesses large and small. There are all those large retail chains, restaurants, a movie theater, 14 or 15 banks—every kind of shopping one could ask for, and plenty of parking. And they are having trouble renting long vacated stores that have been hanging on the market, some of them for more than a year or two.
Why? It’s the economy. And you still think it is wise to build a parking structure and reconfigure the town for that purpose?
It’s true, I have not filed my pre-general election report that lists where my campaign money came from, and how it was spent. Unlike the Democrats, I am not accepting any contributions. I have not, and will not, accept a penny from anyone. But, I will still be filing my report in the near future.
Unlike the Democrats, I do not have the benefit of a campaign manager, nor do I have the benefit of an organized, active political organization. And, unlike the Democrats, I have been busy discussing the issues.
Nevertheless, I would like to thank the New Castle Democratic campaign manager for issuing a “gotcha” press release today reminding me to file my expenditures. The press release stated “Transparency in public office is what we are talking about”. So while I’ve been busy discussing the issues and BEING transparent, the Dems are busy issuing press releases TALKING about transparency. Sort of ironic.
I will continue to discuss the issues and be transparent, and would hope that the Democrats would do the same. BTW, to date, I have spent $4,407.34 on my campaign. Every penny came from my own pocket, and was spent on the following:
Alan M. Goldston, Esq. (attorney to draft & file signature petition) -$2,500.00
Buttons - $150.33
Lawn Signs / Magnets - $1,744.84
Web site - $12.17
A better parking alternative,
I love the idea to elevate the Bell sports field & build a single level of parking. This is something that Charles Napoli raised years ago, and as I’ve previously stated, it should be revisited. It makes sense on so many levels (pun intended). And I would add a few other possible benefits. With a staircase leading from the community center to a well-lit weather-protected parking lot, our community center (think fine arts) can come alive at night. Also, with the increased parking lot, someone might be interested in converting the old firehouse to a restaurant. This was done in Binghamton, NY and it’s a very successful restaurant. Lastly, with the increased parking, we could turn the road leading to Bell into a pedestrian plaza on the weekends.
I am not committed to any one idea. I am merely committed to making better use of our greatest and most under-utilized asset: our community, our brains. And using our brains to think of ways to revitalize our downtown.
Talking about having a Master Plan and actually executing a professional plan are two very different things. We need action now. But we need professional planners who have the expertise in design, building, landscaping, engineering, and architecture. The plan must be a benchmark for years to come. It can’t be thrown together or ad-hocked with crazy wishlists. It must be constructed with sound judgement by professionals who have proven track records to deliver a working model to be approved by the town’s residents.
We’ve waited decades and nothing has been done. Now there’s talk but we need experts to figure this out. It’s too important to leave to guesswork in the hands of novices. When they wanted to build Central Park, thank God there was Frederick Olmsted.
As a follow up to my post above, below is an excerpt from, and link to, an article in NC Now from December 21, 2007 describing Napoli’s plan. He had many ambitious ideas, and due to the bridge construction it’s too late to implement many of them, but, in my opinion, the state of our downtown warrants a second look.
“As the first picture below indicates, the key to this plan is to raise the Bell fields behind the Greeley Avenue stores and hide parking underneath the fields. The parking lot behind the current line of stores that front on Greeley would become additional mixed use commercial space for retail, offices and some residential apartments. In this way, Napoli suggests, Chappaqua’s downtown would become much more viable economically because it would contain “a critical mix and mass of businesses” to attract a critical mass of shoppers.”
The implementation of this idea to solve the downtown parking problem would have the added benefit of returning Chappaqua to the way it looked thirty years ago, pointed out Napoli, more grass and fewer cars.
Susan Carpenter of the planning board mentioned that the use of the Bell fields for this purpose would require the cooperation of the school board. She also explained that the reason the Bell fields always remain soaked after a rain storm is because the fields act as an infiltration basin, retaining the water until it can be completely absorbed into the ground. The extent to which this natural process would be disrupted would need to be addressed in any feasibility study done for Napoli’s proposal.”
http://www.newcastlenow.org/index.php/article/index/chuck_napoli
Rob, I noticed you spent $12.17 for a web site. What’s the web address?
My web site is TransparencyInGovt.com. I am currently working on it, and it should be released very soon. It will be like a blog with links to all my published letters in New Castle NOW, as well as other publications. It will be my platform to keep residents informed, and provide Transparency in Government (the name of my party). 
Hi Rob,
How would I go about getting a sign to put on my lawn? I think your energy, intelligence, and passion for the town are admirable and more than worthy of public support. You have my vote come November. Best of luck!
I am very impressed with candidates Susan Carpenter and Richard Diefenbach for their
thoughtful and balanced views. In my opinion, they are worthy of election. At the local
level parties really do not matter and the Town is lucky to have them running. I still need
to find one more to vote for and hopefully after the League’s Candidate nite on the 24th
I will have my choice.
Eileen, please email me @ .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with your address. I deliver & install them. I also have car magnets. I would be honored to have my sign on your lawn. I have tried to place every single sign on private property, always at the request and consent of the adjoining property owner (although I did accidentally place one @ a wrong address). I have not, and will not, intentionally place my signs on public property.
What I find amazing, is that, as a resident of almost 50 years, the rhetoric shows that the Town has never taken the time to address the problems that have been the source of conversations, meetings, joint meetings, and fuel for past Political campaigns. We have people responding as if their are no problems (it’s only the economy) and we have others that are saying we should not rush into anything: we need to study what needs to be done. Folks, unless you are new to the area, or work outside of Chappaqua, and really only enjoy the Town as a drive through, or on a beautiful blue sky day, or perhaps only as a mind-set of being; the businesses and landlords in Chappaqua are not making money. Yes, go ahead, buy a building in downtown Chappaqua- change the windows, update the exterior, put some plantings in, and smile at all who pass by; the end result, the building will be placed up for sale. Can the children that go to Bell School come to enjoy the untold privilege of being able to come back in their 20’s 30’s and 40’s, and walk into a business that existed when they were at Bell. The answer right now is NO. This is what we need to change through our laws, mandates, policies, procedures, and way of doing business in Town Hall! A person like Napoli knows what needs to be done, how the P&Z and regulations need to change or be eliminated. New Castle Town Hall has become a place that finds comfort in establishing well thought out rules, regulations, and procedures, that are choking everyone. We need the lawyers and other smarts of the area to head in the other direction, we need individuals to stand up and say enough - make this happen without so much fan fair, forms, notice, and attention. Enjoy the Gazebo!
