The Village of Mamaroneck pursues $4.5 million grant to revitalize downtown Mamaroneck Ave.

Mamaroneck, NY The Village of Mamaroneck (the Village) has implemented several economic initiatives the Village intends to pursue as part of its commitment to attracting private investment, reimagining Mamaroneck Ave., addressing the core community issue of chronic flooding and providing updates on two important Village projects.

The Village is pursuing a $4.5 million New York Forward grant to revitalize the Village downtown, investing in streetscape improvements, rehabilitating and repurposing an old firehouse and improving connectivity between the Ave., off-Ave. parking areas and the Harbor Island Park waterfront. The Village recently presented its application to the public before it was submitted earlier this month.

The Village is also exploring zoning changes to the industrial area, along the Metro North Railroad/Mamaroneck and New England Thruway/Sheldrake River between Rockland Ave. and Plaza Ave., to allow for work-live units, retail and recreational uses. Representatives of property owners retained rePLACE Urban Studios, a Manhattan-based architectural and design firm, to explore a mixed-use overlay zone incorporating essential flood mitigation measures, a top priority of the Village. These zoning changes are also part of the cornerstone of the grant application in highlighting how it will draw private investment and strengthen its small business community.

“The proposed IAC Overlay was a coordinated effort by property and business owners, residents and the municipal government to preserve the existing industrial uses but to allow growth that would be consistent with other commercial uses yet remain in harmony with the neighboring residential neighborhoods. This approach provided a means to protect and celebrate the longstanding industrial use yet pave the way for additional vibrant uses such as restaurants, bakeries, art galleries and recreational facilities, thereby assuring long term economic and environmental longevity,” said Andrew Spatz, co-chair of the IAC.

Part of that private investment also includes a new RFP process for a reimagined Civic Center. This will include redeveloping the Hunter Tier Parking Lot to increase parking capacity and add several stories of housing (10% of which would be affordable) and redeveloping Village facilities. Those facilities include Village Hall, the police station and courthouse. In addition, this project will require investment in local infrastructure that helps manage stormwater and deliver true community benefits to Village residents.

The Village also expects to announce a seasonal concessionaire to operate a seasonal food concession and further develop the concept of a full-service restaurant in Harbor Island Park in the near future.

“Through opportunities such as New York Forward, the Village is taking action to revitalize the downtown and encourage additional community benefits from the private sector that address core issues such as lack of parking and flood mitigation. We will continue to keep Village residents informed every step of the way, throughout this process,” said Kathleen Gill, village manager, Village of Mamaroneck.

“These initiatives are a major step towards a new, more accessible and more resilient downtown that can be enjoyed more easily not only by our own residents, but by those in surrounding communities as well,” said Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Sharon Torres.

The Village is aggressively pursuing grants, such as New York Forward, to complement the Village’s new five-year capital program that focuses heavily on flood mitigation and public infrastructure, which was approved earlier this year. 

“The Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce is encouraged by the Village’s downtown revitalization efforts that will certainly energize small businesses and drive lasting economic growth by creating a more vibrant, walkable, and welcoming Central Business District that enhances the customer experience and attracts new visitors as well as inviting private investment,” said Michael Murphy, president of the Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce.