The Hartsdale Four Corners Study was the subject of a positive recommendation from the Planning Board on March 6th. On Wednesday, March 27th the Town Board will hold a public hearing. At this hearing Planning Commissioner Garrett Duquesne will present the plan and discuss the process for Four Corners. In addition to the Study, and to support the concept, the Town has allocated funding for traffic and stormwater studies (which will be coordinated through a single request for proposals [RFP] process) to include, but not be limited to:
• Baseline existing traffic data collection.
• Potential right-of-way improvement identification (one option of widening West Hartsdale Avenue based on the Town acquisition of the West Hartsdale properties and continued coordination with the southwest corner property for the purposes of additional turning lane; another option of widening portions of West and East Hartsdale Avenue under a 4 Corner redevelopment scenario for the purposes of additional turning lanes; other options alternatively envisioned by the selected professional traffic engineer). Each concept will factor in the range of users (vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus/transit users) at this location.
• A study of use of Town acquired properties on West Hartsdale for off-street parking purposes (from a safety perspective). This potential use can incrementally or permanently make viable the option of widening West Hartsdale Avenue and/or increase the potential for collaboration with the Hartsdale Public Parking District.
• Preliminary access management concepts (in the 4 Corner redevelopment scenario, identification of preferred driveway to intersection conceptualizations).
• Identification of the redevelopment potential of 4 Corners from a traffic/transportation perspective.
• Continued analyzation of flooding/potential stormwater improvements at 4 Corners and along the related stormwater systems that are tributary to the Bronx River, which were the subject of a Town-commissioned 2008 study.
• Connections between identified traffic improvement concepts noted above and future stormwater improvements.
This technical analysis is an integral component in the process of improving 4 Corners and areas impacted by flooding along East Hartsdale Avenue. Subsequent redevelopment at 4 Corners consistent with the study will require significant private investment, likely exceeding $200 million, with potential funding supplements from infrastructure/redevelopment grants.
The 4C study, which complements and will supplement the Town’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan, identifies the many challenges faced at 4 Corners (traffic congestion, parking inadequacy, unsafe pedestrian conditions, poor aesthetic conditions, commercial vacancies and periodic flooding). The study identifies potential solution concepts for these challenges and plans for revitalization through significant investment, which would result in redevelopment at 4 Corners that includes combinations of commercial, office, and residential space with attractive architecture, pocket parks, plazas, open spaces and buffers. 4 corners is located at the intersections of East Hartsdale Ave, Central Ave and West Hartsdale Ave.
Paul Feiner
