gn1124-3

Last month, the City of New Rochelle unveiled a new design concept and robust vision for a reimagined New Rochelle Transit Center. Led by FXCollaborative, a leading NYC architecture firm committed to building a better world through equitable and sustainable design, the newly unveiled design concept repositions the historic center into a modern, pedestrian-oriented, and well-connected facility, to serve as a bustling hub for daily commuters and visitors alike. 

The redesign of the New Rochelle Transit Center is a cornerstone of the City’s transformative downtown redevelopment strategy, positioning New Rochelle as a model for equitable and sustainable urban growth. The City’s groundbreaking zoning initiative has paved the way for up to 12 million square feet of new development, including 6,370 housing units, 1 million square feet of retail, 2.4 million square feet of office space, and 1,200 hotel rooms. At the heart of this growth is the creation of a vibrant, mixed-use district anchored by the Transit Center.

The newly unveiled design reimagines the Transit Center as a modern, well-connected hub, featuring state-of-the-art technology and equitable design principles to better serve residents and commuters. A unified public realm establishes a distinct identity for the downtown neighborhood, with a multi-purpose plaza and green public spaces—enhancing both the station’s functionality and its role in placemaking. As the region’s gateway, the Transit Center will be a catalyst for New Rochelle’s continued evolution, blending urban convenience with a high quality of life.

“The design unveiling marks a transformative moment for New Rochelle, as we move one step closer in turning our historic transit center into a modern, dynamic hub that will drive the city’s growth for generations to come,” said New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert. “It’s not just about revitalizing the station; it’s about creating a vibrant, accessible space that connects our diverse coammunities, fosters activity, and sets the stage for future development. The redesign will serve as a model for cities across the region, demonstrating how smart, sustainable infrastructure can enhance both daily life and long-term economic vitality.”

Created in consultation with Amtrak, Metro North Railroad and Westchester County, FXCollaborative’s master plan for New Rochelle provides the City with a comprehensive framework to transform the Transit Center into an optimized, world-class transit hub and community center. The plan enhances connectivity between downtown, the west end, and east end while introducing a variety of different uses, including a podcast studio. It prioritizes pedestrian safety, accessibility, and creates a welcoming sense of arrival with improved wayfinding, a multi-use plaza, and green spaces, and incorporates sustainable design features.

“Our vision for the New Rochelle Transit Center is to preserve its historic character while transforming it into a modern, pedestrian-friendly hub that reflects the vibrant spirit of the city,” said John Schuyler, Partner, FXCollaborative. “By integrating sustainable elements like the reuse of existing structures, targeting LEED Gold certification, and exploring the potential for a net-zero, all-electric train station, we aim to minimize the carbon footprint while maximizing the station’s functionality. Through thoughtful design, we’re creating a space that seamlessly connects the dynamic and diverse neighborhoods of New Rochelle, while positioning it as a forward-thinking catalyst for growth and downtown revitalization.”

By 2027, New Rochelle will be the first city in Westchester County with direct Metro-North commuter rail access to both Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station, as the completion of the MTA Penn Station Access project is expected to dramatically increase daily ridership to over 15,000. This crucial Transit Center redesign will rightfully position the station to address an influx of passengers, while improving regional access, job creation, and supporting ongoing revitalization efforts. 

Using the concept of equitable transportation as a guiding principle, the redesign’s ultimate goal is to restore vital connections to New Rochelle’s surrounding communities and growing residential development downtown. The main design framework includes:

• Prioritizing pedestrians by raising and adding crosswalks to reorganize vehicle flow.

• Incorporating strategic landscaping, stormwater management, entrance point signage/wayfinding, and enhanced lighting.

• Decking over small sections of the Metro-North tracks and I-95.

• Refreshing the traditional 1990s era bus terminal and parking structure with new cladding and glazed stair towers.

• Honoring the historic 19th-century train station by restoring the exterior to its original configuration and creating a double-height, mixed-use interior space.

• Installing solar panels on the parking garage roof, making the renovated station all-electric and Net Zero.

“As development partners, we see the redesign of the New Rochelle Train Station and Intermodal Transit Center as a pivotal investment in the city’s future,” said Commissioner of Development, Adam Salgado. “This project not only restores critical connections between neighborhoods but also integrates seamlessly with the ongoing residential and commercial growth happening in our downtown. Our thoughtful partnership with FXCollaborative has been instrumental in shaping a design that embraces innovative urban planning, helping to create a more vibrant, accessible, and inclusive city where residents and businesses alike can thrive. These visionary investments underscore our commitment to building a sustainable and equitable future for New Rochelle.”

The New Rochelle Transit Center sits in the heart of New Rochelle anchoring the city’s downtown revitalization plans and serving as the busiest station on the Metro-North New Haven Line in New York outside of New York City, with approximately 6,000 outbound riders each weekday. It is also the only Amtrak stop in southern Westchester County, connecting passengers to the busy Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, DC. The Transit Center is also served by nine Westchester County Bee-Line bus routes, providing important connections to places in Yonkers, Mount Vernon, White Plains and the Bronx.

To gather public input on the redesign, the City has held interactive sessions at the Transit Center with commuters, visitors, and New Rochelle residents to inform the project team’s approach to the overall design and master plan.