From the Office of the New Rochelle City Manager
New Rochelle City Manager, Wilfredo Melendez
Dear Neighbors,
As we welcome the warmth and energy of June, I want to take a moment to share a few important updates, celebrate progress, and highlight some of the exciting initiatives underway across our city. I’d like to begin by thanking everyone who came out to the City Council Community Meetings in April and May. Copies of the presentations as well as the workplans are available on the City website newrochelleny.com/councilcommunitymeetings.
Here are some highlights:
Infrastructure Improvements
We’re continuing our commitment to improving roads and sidewalks, public facilities, drainage and more. Two projects are underway that will improve pedestrian crossing on Pinebrook Blvd.- one at Beechmont Drive and the other at Ramona Court- and we have begun design of another project for Broadfield Road at Ward Elementary School.
Our 2025 Paving Schedule has been finalized and we update our weekly paving calendar at newrochelleny.com/paving.
Our Stormwater Flood Mitigation Program is ongoing in the six drainage areas of the City and a Dam Safety program will address improvement at Glenwood Lake Dam.
With the warmer weather, crews are out performing additional roadway maintenance and pothole repair. For their safety and yours, please travel carefully in all work zones.
Quality of Life
Next month I will give an update to the City Council on our Quality of Life Initiative. We have been hard at work in the downtown with increased cleaning of sidewalks and garages, beautification efforts and a street light replacement program on Main and Huguenot and the cross streets, and up North Avenue to Eastchester Road, restoring brightness to every fixture. Our Buildings Department continues to address complaints and is working diligently to ensure permitting processes are followed and enforced.
Public Safety
Our Police and Fire Departments continue their vigilance in keeping our neighborhoods safe. Last month, we increased our bike and foot patrols in the Downtown and Vanguard Districts, and have hired 3 additional Community Service Officers to assist with traffic control.
Green Initiatives
Sustainability remains a top priority. Last month, we saw a presentation from Arbor Pro, our consultant for the Tree Inventory, with an update on our City forest. They are currently putting together a Community Forest Management Plan and will launch a Community Viewer for the City trees that were inventoried.
Our food scraps collection at Pinebrook Tennis Center and D’Onofrio Park has saved over 12 tons from entering our refuse stream.
Youth, ages 20 and under, interested in serving our City can apply to be a member of the City’s Ecology and Natural Resources Advisory Committee (ENRAC) Auxiliary Youth Board. The application deadline is June 18 at 4:30 PM. Learn more at newrochelleny.com/enrac.
Economic Development, Opportunity, Prosperity and Growth
The Vanguard District is attracting new businesses with the first round of awards underway. At the June Committee of the Whole, we will get an update from our Business Improvement District, and an introduction to their new Executive Director Anne Gold.
Community Building
The warmer weather invites outdoor enjoyment, and our Parks and Recreation department is ready for residents and visitors. Hudson Park Beach- and Café- and our waterfront parks will be open weekends until June 28 when daily operations begin. The Hudson Park play area is newly renovated, with the decades-old playground replaced with new equipment. This project was funded through the American Rescue Plan. In time for summer, other playgrounds that have been updated include Sycamore and Eddie Foy. Maplewood Park is on tap for an updating later this summer. In May, we cut the ribbon at their new Downtown REC space at New Roc which will serve as a programming hub for residents of all ages.
Looking Ahead
In June we will launch our annual Downtown Summer Sizzle Concert series at Ruby Dee Park at Library Green, with our kickoff concert on June 7. Earlier that day is the “Hands and Hooves” Sustainability Festival at Ward Acres Park from 10-2, and Pride Month Festival on Anderson Plaza from 2-7. Also in June are our Flag Day ceremony on Friday, June 13, the annual Fishing Derby in Huguenot Park in front of New Rochelle High School on June 14, Juneteenth Recognition on June 18 at City Hall, and Go Skateboarding Day on June 21 at the Sidney Frank Skate Park. A full schedule of City events is available online at newrochelleny.com/events.
June is a time when the community truly comes alive. I hope you feel the same pride I do in being part of such a vibrant and resilient city.
As always, my office is open to your feedback, ideas, and questions. Thank you for your continued support and engagement. We can be reached at (914) 654-2140 or by email at citymanager@newrochelleny.com.