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2. GREEN NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE/ NEIGHBORHOOD PROTECTION PARTNERSHIP
In 2012: The City of Yonkers launched a Neighborhood Protection Partnership with Yonkers Police, Department of Public Works, the Parks Department, and community orga- nizations to address specific concerns in each neighborhood. The program included the launch of the YPD Mobile Command Center, community clean-up efforts, camera installations, and lighting improvements. The Green Neighborhoods Initiative also includes Clean Streets Partnership, which takes aim at neglected properties and helps to beautify Yonkers streets, sidewalks, and roadways.
3. YONKERS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (IDA)
The Yonkers IDA: Works to create economic development and job growth throughout the City of Yonkers by attracting new businesses, retaining existing ones, and helping them all become more competitive in a global market- place. Through the IDA, Yonkers has seen large scale businesses expand and develop, such as Empire City Casino and the Ridge Hill develop- ment. On April 24, 2013, the City of Yonkers and the Westchester County Association presented “Yonkers Showcase” to drive economic vitality and development in the region.
4. MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE/WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MWBE)
January 2013: Mayor Spano issued an executive order, which will maximize the opportunities for Minority Business and Women Business-Owned Enterprises (MWBE) to partici- pate in all areas of contracting goods and ser- vices funded by the City of Yonkers.
As part of the policy, each contract issued or executed by the City of Yonkers now con- tains a MWBE tracking form. An Equity and Diversity Officer has been appointed to pro- vide advice, assistance and training on equity and diversity issues, as well as a new Technical Assistance Plan Committee to provide assis- tance.
5. EDUCATION REDESIGN TEAM
February 2012: Mayor Spano created the Yonkers Education Redesign Team (ERT) to explore innovative reforms to the Yonkers Pub- lic School System. Stakeholders representing government, education, business, labor, and parents have conducted a comprehensive assessment of the administrative functions of the Yonkers Board of Education (BOE) and the City of Yonkers, and will make suggestions on intra-governmental efficiencies, sharing ser- vices, minimizing costs, and focusing on aca- demic performance. Mayor Spano is actively lobbying the State Legislators in Albany to increase aid to the Yonkers Public Schools, par- ticularly for its pre-kindergarten program.
Project of the Year:
DAYLIGHTING OF THE SAW MILL RIVER
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
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Call it urban redemption—the blasting of concrete, the uncovering of an import-
ant natural resource, and the revitalization of a great city. The “daylighting” story of
the Saw Mill River at Van der Dok Park is an action-packed drama that culminates
in a panoramic finish. It’s a prime example of how Yonkers has been able to keep going despite difficult economic circumstances.
For nearly a century, Saw Mill River waters were traveling through a flume posi- tioned underneath Getty Square, North Broadway, and Larkin Plaza, and emptying into the Hudson River just north of Yonkers Pier. Buried alive, it was causing havoc to the environment and the waterfront area. In 2001, local nonprofits groups, gov- ernment agencies, municipalities, businesses, and community leaders established the Saw Mill River Coalition with the goal of revitalizing, protecting, and enjoying the Saw Mill River. The restoration plan morphed through many phases over the past ten years. Like a river, the plan got muddy at times, but it never stopped rolling along.
Under former Governor George Pataki’s administration, New York State com- mitted to $34 million just for the “daylighting” project. Additional advocacy sparked a $3.1 billion commitment from the team of Struever-Fidelco-Cappelli Enterprises, master developers who envisioned housing, offices and commercial space along the river’s path. In December 2010, the New Jersey-based contractor Paulus Sokolowski & Sartor Engineering began work on the history-making project with ELQ Industries of New Rochelle as the contractor.
In early December 2011, former Yonkers Mayor Phillip Amicone announced that the Saw Mill River was on its way back to the people of Yonkers. In fall 2012, under the leadership of the newly elected Mayor Mike Spano, the River began its journey through the downtown area, playing the role of host to new parkland, new waterfront, and a lively streetscape on the banks of Hudson River.
In February 2013, The City of Yonkers and its engineering department were honored by the Westchester/Putnam Chapter of the NYS Society of Professional Engineers for the daylighting of the Saw Mill River. Deputy Mayor Sue Gerry and City Engineer Paul Summerfield accepted the award at a ceremony at the West- chester Manor.
The City of Yonkers and PS&S have faced many challenges on the project, including a wide range of river flows, peak flooding conditions common to urban watersheds, and tidal influence of the Hudson River. The award-winning engineers maintained the existing underground flume, and diverted peak flows through it to avoid potentially hazardous flooding. Soon, the construction of a new scenic park will provide residents and visitors with yet another popular outdoor destination.
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