Yorktown launches multi-faceted business revitalization plan to encourage new ventures

One of Northern Westchester's largest and most populous towns has launched a multi-faceted business revitalization plan designed to encourage new business ventures to relocate within its 40 square miles. The plan includes both the leasing or purchase of currently vacant commercial space as well as development of commercially zoned vacant parcels. With a regional population of 244,000 within a 10 mile radius, the town is the commercial hub for northern Westchester and lower Putnam County. The initial phase of the revitalization plan, which has already been implemented, has been the creation of a centralized database of vacant commercial buildings and land that has been posted on the town's website. In addition to property listings, zoning information, and contacts for the owner or leasing agent for each site, the website also highlights the region's attractive demographics, and provides key traffic data-important factors that influence a business decision of where to locate. The database was developed by the town's Planning Department with input from the town's Chamber of Commerce and area real estate brokers. Property owners are encouraged to submit information about their available properties by filling out the submission form on the town's website. "It's an excellent start," Joe Visconti, president of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, said of the new online feature. "It's a real improvement and a big help to real estate brokers and the business community." "This is an exciting first step in the town's efforts to revitalize the commercial sector of Yorktown," said Susan Siegel, the town supervisor. "Unfortunately, the recession has taken a toll on our commercial space, but that's not an excuse to sit back and do nothing. On the contrary, the town is actively partnering with individual property owners, brokers, and the Chamber of Commerce to promote Yorktown as a desirable place for new business to locate," said Siegel. Interesting a business in locating in Yorktown is only the first step, according to Siegel. The next step is expediting the approval process so that the business can open in the shortest possible time. "Time is money," said Siegel, "and we are committed to ensuring that the project moves quickly and smoothly through the application and approval process." In 2010, the town initiated the practice of holding "kick off" meetings at the very beginning of the approval process so that an applicant's technical team could meet with the town's technical staff to identify the key issues associated with the application. Several major new projects have already benefited from these meetings, including Costco; Crompond Crossings, a mixed use commercial/ residential development; Creative Living, which involved the creation of two new outdoor athletic fields; and Croton Overlook, a 70 unit active senior community. Most recently, town officials, along with the Chamber's business development committee, met with representatives of Mohegan Motors to discuss their proposal to expand operations on Route 6 in the Mohegan Lake area of town. As part of its ongoing commitment to streamlining the project approval process, the town will be co-hosting an innovative breakfast meeting in late August with the Chamber of Commerce. In addition to introducing the town's new building inspector to area business leaders, the meeting will give the town's planning director and town engineer an opportunity explain the procedures involved in the approval process to the business community and answer questions about the applicant's role in moving the process forward. "The business community plays a vital role in Yorktown," Siegel said. "In addition to the convenience of providing local goods and services to our residents, our businesses provide jobs and tax dollars, and greatly contribute to making Yorktown a desirable place to live and shop."