New Rochelle issues request for proposals to develop 45 Harrison St. parcel

New Rochelle, NY Continuing on one of the most ambitious downtown development initiatives in the history of the Hudson Valley, the city will be issuing a request for proposal (RFP) to develop a city-owned parcel located at 45 Harrison St. The location is the current site of New Rochelle Fire Department Station #1.

The Harrison St. property is located between Huguenot and Main Sts., just east of the Downtown area and in close proximity to I-95. The city-owned site consists of 30,492 s/f and current zoning allows for a building up to 28 stories in height. The winning proposal may include any combination of mixed uses for the property in order to reimagine it to align with the city’s designated Downtown Overlay Zone. The zoning outlines a clear and transparent roadmap for development and sets design standards and community benefit requirements intended to create a thriving, attractive and sustainable city center.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to develop a signature property at New Rochelle’s eastern gateway, adjacent to our downtown core,” said development commissioner Luiz Aragon. “New Rochelle has come together in support of the revitalization of our downtown and this property enhances that vision. We have created the right environment for the ideal live, work and grow landscape and welcome all qualified developers to submit their ideas. Come to New Rochelle, we’re open for business.”

Built in 1966, Fire Station #1, the largest fire station in the city, consists of a 20,000 s/f, two-story facility that includes: an 8,000 s/f ground floor; a 6,200 s/f second level that currently provides spaces for administrative offices, kitchen facilities, sleeping areas and a large living space; and a 6,200 s/f basement. The redesign of the 45 Harrison St. property is intended to retain and improve the function of Fire Station #1, either on- or off-site, and at no time will the station be closed or service interrupted.

The 45 Harrison St. property complements the city’s overall redevelopment plan, which includes the rezoning of 279 acres of land around its train station in its downtown area and is expected to attract more than $4 billion in new investment. The unprecedented initiative, which was launched in 2015 with the signing of a Master Development agreement with RDRXR – a joint venture of RXR Realty and Renaissance Downtowns LLC, allows for more than 12 million s/f of new construction including up to 2.4 million s/f of prime office space, one million s/f of retail, 6,370 housing units and 1,200 hotel rooms.