Metro-North Looks To Revitalize Harrison
A short while ago, the MTA’s Metro-North division issued a press release to announce an Open House. The Open House which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 was setup to discuss the “downtown revitalization and transit-oriented development project at the Harrison Station”. Here is the full press release courtesy of the MTA
The Town/Village of Harrison and MTA Metro-North Railroad will host a public Open House to discuss a proposed downtown revitalization and transit-oriented development project at the Harrison Station. The Open House will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at Veteran’s Memorial Building at 216 Halstead Avenue, from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
This is an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the “It’s Happening in Harrison” conceptual proposal. Display stations and exhibits will be set up and town officials, railroad representatives and planning consultants will be on hand to discuss the concept and answer questions.
This project is a key component of Harrison’s downtown revitalization and economic development initiatives. It is a joint effort by the Town and Metro-North and involves redevelopment of the commuter parking lots on Halstead Avenue and major improvements to station access and parking capacity. The proposal includes potential residential, retail and municipal uses, pedestrian plazas and a parking garage as well as streetscape improvements.
“There have been plans for this site for the past 20 years at least but nothing actually got built,” said Harrison Mayor Joan Walsh. “Now we have a real opportunity, something that will bring people downtown and that will benefit the entire town. I am very pleased with the ideas that we are discussing.”
“It’s Happening in Harrison” is a proposal that demonstrates Metro-North’s continuing commitment to sustainability and Smart Growth, as set forth by the MTA’s Blue Ribbon Sustainability Commission,” said Metro-North President Peter A. Cannito. “Such proposals demonstrate Metro-North’s commitment to improving the quality of life and economic health of the region.”
“Transit-oriented development is one of the most important long-term initiatives that the region can pursue to reduce its carbon footprint, which is why I am glad that the members of the blue-ribbon Commission on Sustainability and the MTA have prioritized it,” said Elliot G. Sander, Executive Director and CEO of the MTA. “The Commission has urged the MTA agencies to work collaboratively with communities throughout our 5,000-square-mile territory to cluster residential and commercial development – green development – within walking distance of mass transit. That kind of collaboration between the MTA and communities interested in TOD could have profound implications for the amount of energy our region consumes.”
The Harrison project is the second transit-oriented development being co-sponsored by Metro-North. Last year, the “Be in Beacon” project was launched at the Beacon train station.
The goals of the “It’s Happening in Harrison” project are to:
– implement a successful downtown revitalization and transit oriented development project, which improves Metro-North station access and increases commuter and downtown parking capacity;
– develop an attractive and appealing downtown central business district with a distinctive character, high quality urban and architectural design, and pedestrian and urban amenities, such as local shops and restaurants;
– provide the opportunity for a mixed use development with a diverse base of retail establishments and residential and other uses; and
– create a comprehensive parking management system that successfully meets the demand for long and short term parking in the central business district.
The Town of Harrison and Metro-North want to ensure that the development plan is formulated with maximum public participation and input. Comments and suggestions by those who come to the Open House will be used to refine the project and develop a plan that best serves the Town of Harrison and Metro-North customers.
No formal presentation is scheduled and residents can arrive anytime between 4:30 and 7:30 PM.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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god bless you i can’t wait to see it hapining every other town has improved look at portchester larchmont mammaronick rye white plains we shouldn’t have to travel to buy a just abou any thing i think harrison is good centerly located on the map g g