Page 13 - 2020 Westchester Economic Development Guide

Opposite: The station clock in front of Mount Kisco’s Metro-North train station.
Top Left: Mount Kisco is a little over an hour from Grand Central by train.
Top Right: Mount Kisco’s charming downtown Above: Locali Pizza Bar and Kitchen recently opened at the train station.
“Our goal is to provide
an economic
environment that will
thrive in the long-term
and make businesses
incredibly successful.”
—Mount Kisco Mayor Gina Picinich
Here, Mayor Gina Picinich discusses the business-friendly growth that has defined her first term.
WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT MOUNT KISCO?
We’re a wonderful hometown – we call it the “Big Little Village.” It’s 3.2 square miles, but there’s an extraordinary amount of activity packed into a small space: dining, entertainment, retail, award-winning medical care, and ac- cess to Metro North.
WHAT WERE THE PRIORITIES OF THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF YOUR TERM?
As it relates to business, we have worked to be responsive to changes in the retail marketplace over the past 5 to 8 years. We have taken actions to revitalize the downtown and to ensure that we make it as easy as possible, within reason, for someone to open business. We recog- nize that helping businesses be suc- cessful is really, really important. We created an award-winning comprehen- sive plan, and rezoned the downtown to accept residential development, which will also help bring additional activity and foot traffic downtown. We have worked with partners across the community to host and facilitate events to stimulate activity downtown.
WHAT KIND OF SERVICES DO YOU OFFER BUSINESSES?
We’ve adopted a more customer-cen- tric perspective – we arrange to have
prospective business owners meet with our village planner and building inspector at no cost on the front end to consult on use requirements and other considerations to help bring their business vision to reality.
WHAT’S AHEAD FOR
MOUNT KISCO?
The village board selected a develop- ment team to maximize the under- utilized space on the current parking lots of South Moger and North Moger Avenues. The board authorized a let- ter of intent to enter a 99-year lease with Gotham Organization, Inc. and Charter Realty & Development to cre- ate a mixed use project called Kirby Commons. It would provide 217 resi- dential units, along with parking, retail and community space – all with a look and feel that’s consistent with our vil- lage. This will add needed density downtown – having people reside in the same place as our businesses.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE
TO SHARE?
We’ve also made an effort to create a physically welcoming environment with- in the town. Our Adopt-an-Area program contributes to beautification efforts. We are getting ready to receive bids for an infrastructure project which will enhance our pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and further encourage foot traffic.
Learn more about Mount Kisco at www.thebcw.org/data.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 11
© Photo by John Bruno Turiano © Daniel Case commons.wikimedia.org
© Courtesy of www.mountkiscony.gov