By Dan Murphy
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano made history on March 26 when he delivered his 12th State of the City Address. Spano has served longer than any Yonkers Mayor and has delivered more State of the City addresses than any other Mayor.
The School 30 Choir and the Yonkers Eagle Scouts opened up Spano’s address. “It’s no secret Yonkers continues to see incredible transformation yet still possesses limitless potential for even more. No longer is Yonkers just a pin drop on the map or a pass-through to New York City or Upstate.
“So join me tonight on a tour of our great City – the dynamic, diverse, and thriving community that is “DESTINATION YONKERS” — where our journey is just beginning,” said Spano, who focused on two important development projects for Yonkers. The first is the attraction of TV and Film production companies to Yonkers, which the City has rebranded as Hollywood on the Hudson.
Before the address, a video featured Great Point Studios CEO Robert Halmi driving the Mayor around London. Halmi said that Lionsgate studios in Yonkers are now the largest in the northeast.
“Just look at the lights and cameras of Hollywood on Hudson. Film and television production is in almost every corner of the City. From public streets and public properties to studios steps from this auditorium, Yonkers is a filming center thanks to our diverse landscape, skilled talent pool, and proximity to the biggest City in the country.
Spano continued, “You just saw our friend Robert Halmi of Great Point Studios spotlight how Yonkers is now home to the largest studios in the northeast. Just this past year, we hosted 124 film days that generated close to one million dollars in permit fees—the most ever for us. And this is just the beginning.
“Media Pro is set to open in a few weeks and two new studios are on their way to be approved at the former Rising Ground property.”
Mayor Spano pointed out that Yonkers’s TV and film production boom helps create jobs for its residents. “At Great Point Studios alone, 60% of their employees live in or are from Yonkers – and many are graduates of Yonkers Public Schools.
“Those numbers are going to get even better. The Robert Halmi Senior Academy of Film & Television is creating a direct pipeline to high-paying jobs for its students. It only opened this year, but by twenty-thirty-one, RHA will graduate a class with seven years of hands-on film experience that will transfer their skills to the workforce or use them for their post-secondary education. Our students can go from graduation from our newest school to a great job at our newest studio.”
Mayor Spano next turned to a project that has yet to be approved: a full-scale gaming license for MGM Empire Casino. “Now, let’s talk about potentially the most significant boost to our economy going forward. MGM’s Empire City Casino is vying for a full gaming license, one of three that the State will award by the end of this year.
“This is a make-or-break situation for Yonkers. Empire City is already the City’s biggest private employer. A full gaming license will add table games plus a concert venue. It means more than one billion dollars in economic activity and two billion dollars in private investment.
“It means thousands of jobs and more than two hundred million dollars in additional wages. And virtually all of those jobs are local.
“But, let’s be clear. If Yonkers does not get full gaming and the licenses go to other locations in the New York City area, then it’s very unlikely that Empire City will survive long term. So, not only would Yonkers miss out on two hundred million in new salaries and tens of millions in new tax revenues, but we would probably see the City’s largest private employer close altogether.
That would be disastrous.
“We recognize that more people coming to Empire City means more traffic, which means more upgrades to the surrounding area. We also recognize that more traffic means more people and more investments to improve the area. We are working closely with the neighbors and MGM to develop a community benefits package that best handles the surge of visitors and commerce.
“But if we fail to preserve our City’s biggest private employer, we will regret it. I urge Governor Hochul to keep playing her hand and secure this gaming license because, with a revitalized southeast Yonkers, more jobs, and even more visitors, there’s no question Yonkers will win big as a destination.”
Other items highlighted by Mayor Spano include:
Yonkers Public Schools and My Brother’s Keeper: “Now, let’s turn to the next generation. That means our schools. Yonkers Public Schools are stronger than ever. You’ve heard about its nationally recognized mentor programs like My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper, increased testing scores, and certified biliteracy programs. Yonkers has led the Big 5 in graduation rates for the past nine years and is designated a model community by the Obama Foundation.
“We’re not stopping there. Yonkers MBK is reaching new heights and embarking on new milestones. We’ve increased our graduation rates, but now we want to make sure students are ready for a career or trade. Teaming up with Monroe University, MBK students will soon be able to enroll in an accredited pre-teaching CTE program. This provides a clear pathway into the teaching profession and equips our students with the skills and credentials needed to thrive as future educators. “
The Mayor also announced a new school planned for the Yonkers Public Schools. “At the site of the old Mulford Gardens housing complex adjacent to Grant Park, we will erect a grade school for 800 students. Just as we did at Sotomayor, this will be a community school – that includes an auditorium, full gym, library, music and art space, plus medical offices and a pool for neighborhood access. I want to take this opportunity to thank our State delegation, led by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, for rallying around this visionary project.”
Spano also appointed the first two student representatives to the Yonkers Board of Education. “Tonight, it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you William Willams and Jaelynn Wesley, seniors who will serve as ex-officio trustees on the Yonkers Board of Education for the remainder of their school year. They will provide insight into how the policies and procedures affect our students and serve as a conduit to the student body. Thank you, and welcome to the Yonkers Board of Education.”
The Mayor also proposed the construction of a new Yonkers Library. “Two years ago, I stood here and announced my proposal for a fourth library branch to accommodate our flourishing City. Tonight, I am happy to share that we’ve identified the former Lincoln Park Jewish Center on Central Avenue as a potential location. Accessible and centrally located, the Center can be repurposed into another home for learning and community. I look forward to working with Majority Leader John Rubbo and the rest of the Council, the Library Board led by Nancy Moran, and Director Jesse Montero as we foster our City’s connection to literacy.”
Other interesting parts of the Mayor’s address included:
- Crime: “In just the last year, major crimes have decreased by double digits and by over 30% since 2011 — all by building relationships with the community, embracing technology, and diversifying our force.”
- Untermyer Gardens. “Record-breaking crowds. In 2024, Untermyer reached an extraordinary milestone, welcoming 300,000 visitors, the largest in the garden’s history. This remarkable achievement goes beyond the numbers—it speaks to the impact of the Persian Gardens in making Yonkers a true cultural hub. What once was a well-kept secret is now a place of beauty and history, drawing visitors near and far.”
- Remembering Lucia Trovato: “I also want to take this opportunity to give a special thank you to our dear departed friend Lucia Trovato. If you ever attended a City Hall event, including this annual address, then you enjoyed the fruits of Lucia’s labor. Maybe you came across her at Will Library, where she volunteered for years, or at the many. Colombus Day festivities she so proudly organized. She was a walking treasure trove of local history and shared it with all who would listen, delivering it with her signature smile and engaging wit. There was no question, Lucia loved Yonkers. And we loved her right back. We miss Lucia and thank her.”
- Note: Former Yonkers Mayor Kristen Kristensen (1950–1961) appears to have served the longest before Mayor Spano, who is now in his 14th year of service.
