On October 24, 2018 the Hartsdale 4 Corners Study was released to the public and is now under review by the Planning Board. This 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.
WE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A MAJOR GRANT TO BUILD SIDEWALK TO 4 CORNERS
The challenges noted have compelled prior Town action including successful sidewalk grant acquisition ($1,000,000 for over a half-mile of sidewalk to be built 4 Corners to Marion Avenue in 2019), NYSDOT coordination (updated signals/pedestrian infrastructure at 4 Corners 2019 implementation), and transportation infrastructure planning (Town property acquisition).
WE RECENTLY ACQUIRED TWO PROPERTIES ON W HARTSDALE AVE
Building on the 4 Corners study and on the Town’s separate acquisition of two properties on West Hartsdale Avenue, the Town Board is taking additional proactive measures to address challenges faced at the 4 Corners intersection. The Town Board proposes an allocation of $150,000 in the 2019 Town budget for the purposes of funding important infrastructure (transportation and stormwater) analysis at 4 Corners and along East Hartsdale Avenue.
The $150,000 allocation will fund traffic and stormwater studies (which will be coordinated through a single request for proposals [RFP] process) to include, but not be limited to:
OUR TRAFFIC REVIEW PLANS---
· 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.
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· WIDENING WEST HARTSDALE AVE --POSSIBLE TEMPORARY PARKING ON WEST HARTSDALE AVE TILL THAT HAPPENS... 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.
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF FLOODING ISSUES
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 attached study will require significant private investment, likely exceeding $200 million, with potential funding supplements from infrastructure/redevelopment grants.
THE SCARSDALE, NEW ROCHELLE MODEL
From a planning process perspective, communities such as the Village of Scarsdale (Freightway Study) and the City of New Rochelle (“New Rochelle Model – December 2019 American Planning Association”) provide great examples of public engagement methods, obtaining community benefits, and undertaking regional and nation-wide RFP processes, which are contributing to enhancing those places. The Town Board encourages residents to continue to be planning partners in this exciting local process for 4 Corners. The Hartsdale 4 Corners Study is attached to this email (hard copies are available at the Greenburgh Public Library and Town Hall). A public discussion date with the Planning Board related to the study will soon be announced. Our Planning Commissioner is available with a Town Board representative to meet with neighborhood civic associations.
Please email me your thoughts and comments. PAUL FEINER
