Aragon oversees New Rochelle’s award-winning, multi-billion-dollar redevelopment initiative
GOSHEN, N.Y. (January 11, 2019) – Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC) has welcomed Luiz Aragon, Development Commissioner with the City of New Rochelle, to its Board of Directors. In his role, Aragon oversees the City of New Rochelle’s Department of Development, which is currently in the midst of an ambitious downtown redevelopment initiative, and launched its successful Ideally New Rochelle campaign.
New Rochelle, located in Westchester County, is home to nearly 80,000 people according to July 2018 census data, placing it among the top 10 largest cities by population in New York State. Vibrant and diverse neighborhoods stretch from a bustling downtown, where new residential towers stand beside live/work lofts, turn-of-the-century apartment buildings and multi- and single-family homes.
With Luiz Aragon as its Development Commissioner, New Rochelle has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, including major revitalization efforts in its downtown and surrounding communities.
“I’m a long-time resident of HVEDC’s seven-county region and a New Rochelle resident today. I’ve been an advocate for economic development here for years,” said Aragon. “The recent growth we’ve experienced in New Rochelle – from new businesses to new properties to new neighbors – has been very exciting, and I look forward to working with this board to bring more of the same to our entire region.”
New Rochelle’s unprecedented redevelopment initiative was launched in 2015 with the signing of a Master Developer agreement with RXR Realty. Accelerated by a novel, fast-track zoning process and the use of generic environmental reviews, the program is on track to create 6,370 new housing units, more than two million square feet of new office space, and more than 12 million square feet of new construction, all within a compact, walkable, transit-rich, mixed-use downtown district.
The City’s central location, unrivaled transit access, respected higher educational institutions, award-winning public schools, ultra-high-speed public access WiFi kiosks, groundbreaking partnerships including IDEA (Interactive Digital Environments Alliance), diverse population, and physical characteristics together uniquely position the City to evolve into a thriving live-work-play magnet for millennials and young professionals, while enhancing the overall region’s competitive status.
“The City of New Rochelle should be held up as a model of what a dynamic development initiative looks like,” said Mike Oates, President and CEO of HVEDC. “Luiz and his team have helped bring transformational change to the city, and I look forward to seeing how his creative and innovative ideas will support our own regional vision and constituents. We are very pleased to welcome him and New Rochelle to our Board.”
New Rochelle’s public school system educates more than 11,000 students, and there are prominent private schools and three prestigious colleges in the city – The College of New Rochelle, Iona College and Monroe College. The Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital is a 242-bed community-based teaching hospital. New Rochelle boasts 38 recreational facilities, including parks, lakes, nature areas, playgrounds, hiking trails and a municipal marina, which offer year-round activities for all ages. Residents also enjoy a nine mile stretch of coastline on Long Island Sound.
Situated just 21 miles from Times Square, New Rochelle is a brief commute into New York City by rail, public or personal transportation. Its train station is a hub for both Metro-North railroad lines and the regional Amtrak line, providing access to Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. New Rochelle is also convenient to the growing Westchester County Airport, and three major New York area airports.
Aragon’s two decades of government service in New York City and upstate New York have included work in community development, economic development and revitalization, housing, planning, transportation and environmental management. Under his leadership, New Rochelle has repositioned itself as a leading transit-oriented development destination. Working with the City Council, Aragon has facilitated the rezoning of approximately 300 acres of the city’s downtown to accommodate more than 10 million square feet of development. Development and revitalization projects underway now can be reviewed at the website www.IdeallyNewRochelle.com.
Prior to his role with New Rochelle, Aragon served as Commissioner for Planning and Environmental Management in Sullivan County, where he helped lead a charge of economic resurgence that included the revitalization of main streets, the advancement and repositioning of the Concord Hotel and Casino development and a variety of additional job-creating investment opportunities. He also served as county representative to Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council, and played a key role in the Mid-Hudson Region Sustainability Consortium. Aragon previously served as Deputy Commissioner for Preservation Services for New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and in New York City’s Department of Transportation as Assistant Commissioner for Capital Projects and as Assistant Commissioner for Planning and Urban Mobility.
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC):
HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC helped start the organizational, branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley, Hudson Valley 3D Printing, and the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. To learn more, call 845-220-2244 or visit hvedc.com.
