TransCenter revitalization: information and some initial thoughts.

Mayor Roach named 13 members to his TransCenter revitalization task force in October 2015 but they will not meet until February 2016.  Supposedly the task force will seek public opinion.  The city has state money to spend on this, including hiring a consulting firm, which will create a website to help facilitate.  The task force is expected to complete its work by the end of 2016.

One objective is practical short term change that will have immediate impact.  Long term everything in the area is in play, including:
- both parking garages
- city owned ground level parking lots
- auxiliary parking lot owned by the Gateway building on South Lexington
- fire station, which needs to be rebuilt but will likely remain at that location.

It's unclear whether the MTA has air rights to sell above the train station.  So far MTA has not indicated any construction plans.

Work has begun on the site for two new twin towers at 55 Bank Street where a flat city parking lot had existed south of Main Street.  There will be about 550 rental apartments, including 20% affordable.  The complex will have about 6,300 square feet of retail space, which obviously will be needed or else all those new residents will be driving their cars every time they need a loaf of bread or quart of milk.  And with thousands more apartments likely over the next decade or two (this is White Plains, where nothing is built easily or quickly or with any real planning), a supermarket seems like a must.

Local "mass" transit will be more necessary than ever.  Everyone cannot expect to drive to the train station.  The city has no plans for city buses and seems resigned to depend on the county Bee-Line bus system.  Yuck.  The wind swept mess at the current TransCenter where poor people wait for buses is never frequented by city officials.  Maybe if they used it, they'd improve it.

Alternatives could include the owners of buildings (rental, condo, co-op) forming a group that hires smaller vehicles to transport residents to and from the train station.  Or maybe some cutesy trolley system.  Fewer parking spaces near the train station would force people to seek alternatives.  More parking spaces simply means more congestion and there can never be enough spaces (or roads) for it to be efficient.  Some open space is essential.

Transmania: "Group to Assist in Planning for Revitalized TransCenter Area". Any downtown residents on task force? Monday, November 30, 2015