JARED RICE - NEW ROCHELLE CITY COUNCIL

First off, let me wish you a very happy holidays, and an early happy new year!

As you might have already heard, I am pleased to announce that I will remain in public service upon my leaving the New Rochelle City Council and will become a New Rochelle City Court Judge. As you can imagine, I am excited to begin this next chapter in my life.

Serving as your council representative has been the most rewarding professional experience I have ever had and I am forever grateful for the trust and cooperative spirit provided by my community over the last nine years. So much has been done, but there is still so much to do; especially regarding the exciting new updates with the $10 million dollar DRI grant, and the Remington Boys and Girls Club redevelopment.

So on my last day on council, I want to say a big thank you to the entire New Rochelle community. It has been wonderful to work with you in my capacity as a councilmember. Yadira Ramos-Herbert who was elected in November will be taking over from here to represent the third district.

It would be my honor and privilege for you to join me on Friday, January 3rd, 2020 at the Bethesda Family Life Center at 71 Lincoln Avenue, at 6 p.m. as I get sworn in as a Judge. While my work may be ending in City Hall, my journey is only beginning right next door at the New Rochelle City Court.

Signing off for the last time as Councilman Rice.

(A young Councilman Rice hooping it up at Remington, can you guess which one is me?)

As a very proud product of the Remington Boys and Girls Club, I am ecstatic to announce that our City Council has recently unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a tri-party Memorandum of Understanding between the City, The NRP Group, and the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle for the redevelopment of the Remington site. This agreement is the first formal step for us to finally be able to build a brand new, state-of-the art Remington Unit which will be able to better accommodate the needs of the youth in the community. The original building built in the 1950s will be replaced on the other side of the on-site parking lot with a two-story structure facing Prince Street.

Also, in an effort to address the affordable housing crisis which has plagued our region, we are proposing to include 179 rental apartments.  In addressing community concerns, 100% of those units will be income restricted at ranges from 37% to 80% of the area median income (AMI). (Click here to see Westchester AMI formulas) The unit breakdown is expected to be 20 studio units, 95 one-bedroom units, and 64 two-bedroom units. As with the other affordable housing units now coming online throughout the city, there will be a transparent and orderly process for folks to apply.

And I know what you are thinking. Where are the cars going to park? To answer that question, this project includes a four-story art garage to service the Boys and Girl Club users, the new apartment dwellers, and the community members who utilize Lincoln Park. That’s 350 new parking spots that will be created, all compliant with current zoning requirements without the need for any parking reduction requests.

Notably, when we hear back from the Governor’s Office regarding the 10 million dollar grant which we received for improvements to the Lincoln Avenue Corridor, we hope that the requested projects of solar panels for the roof of the new Remington Unit, a Cultural and Heritage Center inside of the club, and outdoor bathrooms adjacent at Lincoln Park are all included. (Click here for more information on the 10 million-dollar DRI grant) Ultimately, our ability to comprehensively weave together positive investments in our community will determine our eventual success.

Lastly, we would not have been able to get this far without the leadership of our faith-based partners in Pastor Michael Rouse and Pastor Wallace Noble who ably contributed as members of the Lincoln Towers HDFC, a co-developer in this development. We are experiencing dynamic times in our community and I am glad to be a part of its renaissance. This promises to be a very busy rest of 2019 as we look to get all final approvals for this landmark project so that we can move together full steam ahead.

Sincerely,

Councilman Jared Rice

When I first ran for a city council position in 2010 as a young husband and new father, I did so with a sense of extreme excitement for the future. Despite being in the depths of the Great Recession at that time, I knew that there were greater days ahead for New Rochelle. These past eight years as a New Rochelle council member have been my most rewarding professional experience ever; therefore, it is very much bittersweet for me today to announce that I will not be seeking re-election as the District 3 representative on the New Rochelle City Council.

In what will culminate in nine total years in office, I have been blessed with overwhelming community support which allowed me to follow through on the legislative agenda that I initially put forward. My three main focuses throughout my tenure have been job creation, the strengthening of our neighborhoods, and supporting our youth. With the city now being in a healthy fiscal position, I was largely able to effectuate these priorities.

While working with a super group of council colleagues and city staff, we were able to usher forward the most ambitious downtown development plan ever in the history of New Rochelle. What was once becoming a deserted area is now bustling with new development that will provide new housing — market rate and affordable, commercial retail space, hotels, and exciting street level activity. Essentially, our downtown will be the place to live, work, and play. One of my greatest honors for the downtown was chairing the Ruby Dee Commemorative Committee which eventually renamed the Library Green Park into the Ruby Dee Park at Library Green. Through this park, a great New Rochelle icon will forever live on in our hearts and minds as we casually stroll and relax in this downtown open green space.

With new downtown investment, comes thousands of permanent jobs to be created within the next decade. To prepare for that, I helped draft new Economic Opportunity and Non-Discrimination legislation which created the city’s first ever First Source Referral Center.  In a mere two years, this free job training service for residents, located in our downtown, has placed hundreds of New Rochelleians with good jobs. We are currently in the process of securing additional funding for comprehensive construction training for Opportunity Youth who reside in New Rochelle so that we can better introduce vocational careers to young people looking to get started.

In an effort to strengthen our neighborhoods, after serving on a planning committee between city officials, Iona College representatives, and community members, we were able to put together a framework for combining all our respective interests into a plan for the reinvigoration of North Avenue. Today, we have a new residence hall, new businesses, and new development occurring on the North Avenue strip between Iona College and our downtown. For the Lincoln Avenue Corridor, improvements made to Lincoln Park implemented through our Master Plan in playground upgrades, new community gardens, and state of the art basketball courts have significantly improved the quality of life for area residents. I also helped to sponsor Lincoln Avenue Corridor community clean-up days which brought together hundreds of area residents to volunteer together; it truly was all about unity in the community.

Most recently, I am ecstatic to have been able to set the stage for the 10 million dollar ($10,000,000.00) Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from New York State. As a Vice co-chair of the Local Planning Committee for the DRI grant, I am working with city, state, and community representatives to come up with a spending plan to revitalize and better physically connect the Lincoln Avenue Corridor with our downtown. After creating the Lincoln Avenue Task Force, which was a precursor to the DRI process, we are now in an ideal position to collaborate with Lincoln Avenue Corridor residents to finally put forward tangible solutions to traffic concerns, workforce housing needs, and opportunities for area residents to take advantage of the jobs, services, and transportation options available in the downtown.

As an advocate for all New Rochelle youth, I am thrilled to announce that both the city and school district have doubled their investment in My Brother’s Keeper New Rochelle (MBK New Ro). In this unique partnership of which I have had the pleasure of being the co-chair, New Rochelle in 2015 became the first Westchester community to accept former President Obama’s MBK Community Challenge. This collective impact initiative is designed to focus on positive life outcomes for young people, particularly boys and young men of color and has affected hundreds of local New Rochelle youth across the age spectrum.

With our MBK team, among many things, we were able to help build a brand new library at the Bracey Houses, send hundreds of young people to summer camp for free, facilitate positive interactions between young people and the police, provide externships for high school students to learn more about in-demand industries, and foster positive conversations around race using films, books, and guest speakers. I was especially proud to represent New Rochelle at the White House when I met President Obama for our national MBK symposium. Additionally, as a product of the Remington Boys and Girls Club, I am delighted to announce that plans are underway to build a brand new, state of the art Remington facility right on the same lot upon which it currently sits.

Needless to say, I have put in a lot of work in these past eight plus years, and I am now ready to pass the baton to someone else. It is nice to look back at the younger me in the below picture and to see what my goals were in 2010 and how much has been done. I gave my all to this position on the New Rochelle city council because of my love for our city and will continue to do so for the remainder of the year. Because of this experience, I am forever a different person and am eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve. Again, thank you for your continued support.

(My 2010 pre-election  mailer)

(The Downtown Revitalization Initiative video prepared for the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council by the City of New Rochelle)

Reporting from sunny Arizona where my wife and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary, I am ecstatic to announce that the New York State’s Regional Economic Development Council for the Mid-Hudson region has selected New Rochelle to receive 10 million dollars to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the  revitalization of the Lincoln Avenue Corridor. Just now, from inside the Remington Boys and Girls Club, right in the heart of the Lincoln Avenue Corridor, the news was made official that a Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant will be going to New Rochelle. Believe me, this is a huge moment for all of New Rochelle.

Since our first Comprehensive Planning meeting more than two years ago (see Comprehensive Planning for the Lincoln Avenue Corridor), we have been working hard to try to figure out how to obtain the necessary resources to increase the quality of life for residents along this historic corridor. Now, with the DRI grant,  we will  be able to better connect center-city New Rochelle, specifically the Lincoln Avenue Corridor, with the jobs, transportation, and services located in our bustling downtown. In my opinion, the key to our success thus far has been robust community involvement. In engaging area residents to determine the many needs of the corridor, we were able to put together a solid plan for the future. With that, I would like to give a special shout-out to our Department of Development staff and the Lincoln Avenue Task Force for the countless hours spent in preparation for this moment.

With a recently upgraded Lincoln Park, and new zoning in place to foster smart development at the base of the corridor near Memorial Highway (see Re-Imagined Lincoln Avenue Corridor Part 2), the DRI grant perfectly complements the exciting changes we are witnessing.  Still, the ongoing needs for the Lincoln Avenue Corridor  – from workforce housing, to a brand new Remington Unit of the Boys and Girls Club, to the total reconfiguration of the Memorial Highway/Lincoln Avenue intersection, to practical retail space – require more attention. What is so tantalizing about the DRI grant is that it allows for significant infrastructural improvements along Lincoln Avenue and Memorial Highway, along with new transportation options, so that better connections from the Lincoln Avenue Corridor to downtown New Rochelle can be created. The mix of private and public capital in this area can yield transformational results.

In order to effectively spend the grant money, a DRI Strategic Investment Plan needs to be generated . The process in creating one will be led by a Local Planning Committee comprised of local and regional leaders, community representatives, and other stakeholders in the Lincoln Avenue Corridor and downtown New Rochelle. I can assure you that the DRI process will be collaborative and transparent. You can see frequently asked questions for the DRI process here.

So, please excuse me as I enjoy the rest of my anniversary weekend away; I’ll be right back to work on this with our council and  Mayor Bramson as soon as I get home. In the meantime, click on the video above to get a better understanding of where we are going with this.

Sincerely,

Councilman Jared Rice

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

Approximately one year ago, I convened a town hall meeting to discuss the implementation of a comprehensive plan for the Lincoln Avenue corridor. In what ended up being a spirited conversation, several important issues were raised by the few hundred people in attendance that evening. The most significant issues highlighted as immediate needs were:  1) improved Lincoln Park amenities; 2) a modernized Remington Boys and Girls Club; 3) better and safer traffic flows – particularly at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Memorial Highway; 4) cleaner streets and sidewalks 5) workforce housing 6) meaningful retail options; and 7) more open space. From that meeting, I,  along with city staff, and several members of the community have begun the hard work of planning for the future. Here is what we are doing with respect to Lincoln Park.

With a Master Plan drafted by a professional consultant, and newly approved matching funds to go along, Lincoln Park is set to continue with its much-needed renovation. After several community meetings with dozens of residents, the expansion of the Grow! Lincoln Park Community Garden was prioritized as being an action item that can get done right away, and was eventually designated as the initial project of the park Master Plan. The Grow! Lincoln Park community, a dedicated group of volunteers, took a vacant space of grass adjacent to their initial modest garden, and transformed it into a much larger garden, and lively civic space. Community gardens are extremely valuable in that they provide fresh and nutritionally rich foods, and also produce intergenerational learning opportunities for local residents. In addition to the community garden, Phase One of the Master Plan also included new water and irrigation systems, lighting upgrades, and the installation of security cameras at the park.

Phase Two of the Lincoln Park Master Plan will be the complete renovation of the playground. At 16 years of age, combined by the heavy usage of this park, the playground no longer can enjoyably accommodate the needs of the community. With the purchase of new “State of the Art” equipment – costing over half a million dollars – area residents can expect the playground to be removed and replaced by latest this fall with a modernized playground that we all can be proud of. The playground was not able to be financed all at one time due to the expense of the high quality equipment that will be installed. Currently, our city finance department is waiting for the the second half of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to be approved in the coming weeks prior to the city moving forward with the installation. Along with new park benches and attractive landscaping, our future playground – as shown by the beautiful rendering I just received from our Parks and Recreation department – will be hardly recognizable. In the meantime, the city will continue to maintain the current playground as best as possible.

The future phases of the Lincoln Park Master Plan will likely include upgrades to the basketball courts and sports field, more park landscaping, and hopefully, outdoor exercise equipment for adults to use in lieu of people using the playground equipment for that purpose. And the best part is that all future phases have already received funding as part of the city’s Ten Year Capital Plan. To be exact, last December, $2.2 million was allocated to serve the needs of Lincoln Park from 2017 until 2026; that’s more than enough to meet the goals previously identified by the community. It is vital that we send a message to the users of Lincoln Park that they deserve a park that is clean, safe, fun, and well-kept.

Stay tuned for future updates on what is being planned for this corridor, particularly related to road redesigns, workforce housing, a Remington Boys and Girls Club renovation, and more park news.

Sincerely,

Councilman Jared Rice

With an estimated few hundred people in attendance, we hit the ground running with our first Comprehensive Plan Town Hall meeting for the Lincoln Avenue corridor. While the Comprehensive Plan is being created for the entire City of New Rochelle, I feel that it is vitally important to include a robust zoning analysis of the Lincoln Avenue corridor. The only way to accomplish this is through maximum community participation.

After opening remarks by Pastor Allen Weaver of Bethesda Church, the host site for the meeting, I was able to share some updates regarding happenings in the third district. From that point, our Development Commissioner Luiz Aragon introduced the concepts behind the city’s Comprehensive Plan, and the City’s consultants, BFJ, shared a presentation with the crowd.  Then we were ready for questions and comments pertaining to the corridor.

Many productive things were said throughout the evening and many valid concerns were raised. I’ll tick off a few of the themes.  (more…)

For the past four plus years, I have been blessed to be a member of the New Rochelle City Council.  During this time, I am grateful to have made many new friends as I have worked tirelessly on behalf of my district and my city. Although much has been accomplished thus far, there is still much to get done.  Accordingly, it is with tremendous joy that I announce my intention of seeking another term as the New Rochelle City Council representative of District 3. (more…)

I am proud to announce that the City of New Rochelle and the City School District of New Rochelle have entered into a historic partnership designed to eliminate opportunity gaps, barriers, and challenges facing youth in our community, namely boys and young men of color.  At the March 17^th, 2015 council legislative meeting, an ordinance was unanimously passed to retain the services of a consultant to assist New Rochelle in creating an action plan for the “My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge”. The costs of the consulting services are not expected to exceed $20,000.00, of which the City School District will fund half. (more…)

I am happy to announce that at last night’s council meeting, there was unanimous support for an idea that I proposed for a committee on community policing. This 15 person committee, which will be selected by the City Manager and Police Commissioner, will be co-chaired by Cathryn Lavery, PhD., Chair & Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Criminal Justice from Iona College, and Michele Rodney, Esq., Dean of Criminal Justice from Monroe College.  New Rochelle is fortunate to have the support of our institutions of higher learning and I expect greatness to result from this process. Please see my below memorandum which outlines what the Committee on Community Policing is all about. (more…)