Yonkers, the fourth-largest city in New York State, is getting two new retail centers in neighborhoods that dramatically differ in demographics.
In February, Yonkers Mayor Philip Amicone, who has dreams of shoring up the city's sagging finances and converting the ageing downtown, into a SoHo of the suburbs, approved redevelopment plans.
Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, with partners Fidelco Corp. and local developer Louis Cappelli plan a $3.1 billion project to be constructed in phases with a $1.2 billion ballpark for a new Atlantic League franchise and 1.3 million square feet of retail.
Also last month, Forest City was expected to get zoning approval for Ridge Hill (below), a sprawling. upscale mixed-use town center development on mostly undeveloped land in northern Yonkers. Local news reports say the company expects to break ground on the $600 million mini-city in April.
The projects face hurdles. Much of the downtown land still must be acquired from private parties.