Following an expressed desire from the community for the City of New Rochelle to place a greater emphasis on the resources available to the Lincoln Avenue Corridor (see Comprehensive Planning for the Lincoln Avenue Corridor), several improvements are underway. In addition to the second phase of completion for the Lincoln Park Master Plan (see THE RE-IMAGINED LINCOLN AVENUE CORRIDOR (PART 1 – LINCOLN PARK), new zoning was adopted which positively affects the heart of the Lincoln Avenue Corridor.
With the recent ribbon cutting of our brand new, state of the art playground, we were able to fulfill our mission of providing a safe public space for families and children to enjoy (see News 12 – New Rochelle’s Lincoln Park reopens following renovations). Also, that day, we were able to unveil the new Native Plant & Butterfly Garden – courtesy of our good friends from the Grow! Lincoln Park Community Garden.
Moving ahead to Phase Three of the Lincoln Park Master Plan, we can look forward to our famed basketball courts being resurfaced and painted with stimulating artwork. Through the efforts of the New Rochelle Basketball Association, the City of New Rochelle Parks and Recreation Department was awarded $20,000 by the NBA Players Association Foundation to take charge of this initiative. We will be working with Project Backboard to get this done later this summer. 
Meanwhile, intense planning has been done for the areas outside of the park. Several months ago, the Lincoln Avenue Task Force was assembled to look at ways to address the many concerns from residents along the corridor. After several months of meetings by this body, a community forum was held to present many recommendations related to pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety, zoning changes, and the enhancement of existing community spaces. The members of the Task Force were Sarah Dodds- Brown, Kwamaine Dixon, Beunia Brown, Rev. Wallace Noble, David Peters, Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Nancy Street, Rev. Dr. Allen Paul Weaver Jr., and Aaron Williams.
Last month, after a public hearing in which most speakers were “super-duper” in favor of new Lincoln Avenue Corridor zoning, City Council unanimously passed zoning legislation for development opportunities to potentially bring in more workforce housing, a new Remington Unit Boys and Girls Club, and quality retail options. The proposed new Boys and Girls Club site would remain right in the same area where it is now. Additionally, the New Rochelle Development Department has made grant submissions seeking millions of dollars of infrastructure upgrades for the Lincoln Avenue/Memorial Highway intersection (let’s keep our fingers crossed).
Things looks bright for this historic area of New Rochelle. With the community moving together as one, anything is possible. Until the next update…
Sincerely,
Councilman Jared Rice