SCENIC HUDSON, CITY OFFICIALS AND DEVELOPER OPEN MORE OF YONKERS RIVERFRONT TO PUBLIC

Agreement will expand popular waterfront esplanade, create more riverfront space for the community

(Yonkers) - Scenic Hudson, the City of Yonkers and developer Collins Enterprises have agreed to modifications on a riverfront development that will allow residents to enjoy even more of the city's Hudson River shoreline.

The agreements, which averted a lawsuit, have been reached after more than six months of negotiations between the three parties. They create opportunities for the public to benefit from open spaces at Collins' Hudson Park North, a two-building housing development under construction north of the city pier (also referred to as Collins Phase II).

RESULTS STRONG IN FACE OF NO SCENIC HUDSON EASEMENT
The result is especially satisfying to Scenic Hudson because the organization did not have the leverage of an easement -- an agreement to restrict design details such as building heights on the parcel. Scenic Hudson's 1989 conservation easement protecting views along Wells, Dock, Main and Prospect streets and providing a 60-foot setback from the Hudson River was not binding on these parcels. That easement, signed in 1989 as the result of litigation brought by Scenic Hudson, led to the creation of a five-acre linear waterfront esplanade and established the parameters for the eventual design of a low- to mid-rise mixed-use development at the Collins Phase I Hudson Park project that preserved Palisades views and reconnected residents with the Hudson River.

NEW AGREEMENTS EXTEND WATERFRONT ESPLANADE, IMPROVE RIVERFRONT ACCESS
The new agreements relating to the Collins Phase II project, reached without the benefit of an easement, call for:

• A 70-foot setback from the river at the development's northern end, providing for expansion of the city's popular waterfront esplanade.
• Public access to a large riverfront courtyard at one of the buildings.

The agreement was reached through negotiations with the mayor's office and approved by the City Council and the developer. The City Council approved the first modification on Tuesday, April 10. Scenic Hudson and Collins signed an agreement on the second shortly thereafter.

COURTYARD WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC PERMANENTLY
The courtyard will be open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Collins has further agreed that entrances to the fenced-in space will be constructed so they invite public access. The agreement is binding on subsequent owners, meaning the courtyard will be open to all permanently.

"For two decades, Scenic Hudson has been fighting to guarantee that Yonkers residents can enjoy their riverfront. Our agreements will help people connect with the Hudson in exciting new ways. They prove that the public benefits when environmental groups, developers and municipal officials work together," said Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson.

Scenic Hudson has been involved in Yonkers since the mid-1980s, when the organization went to court to block construction of six 38-story apartment buildings along the city's economically blighted downtown waterfront. In addition to the waterfront esplanade, it worked with the city, the state and Westchester County to create two-acre Habirshaw Park, home to the Beczak Environmental Education Center. Scenic Hudson continues to play a leading role in plans to "daylight" (uncover portions of) the Saw Mill River in downtown Yonkers.

Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone said, "The City of Yonkers is truly blessed to be on the best stretch of one of the greatest rivers in the world; no where else has such breathtaking views of the Hudson River Palisades. And after many decades of people being separated from the waterfront by older, under-utilized industrial sites, we're finally in a position to give the river back to our residents. This agreement between the city, Collins Enterprises and Scenic Hudson will serve as a model to eventually extend public access to all four-and-a-half miles of Hudson River waterfront in Yonkers."