By Camryn Sanchez
An upcoming zoom meeting with developers will include a discussion about utilizing the JFK Marina as the site of a parking structure.
The Lela Goren Group is developing the PowerPlant- formerly known as the Glenwood Power Plant- at 45A Water Grant Street where there is currently limited parking. The Lela Goren Group plans to build a parking structure in the area. Initially the group proposed building the structure in Trevor Park, but after heavy pushback from the community, they turned to the JFK Marina. The change in plans was announced in a zoom meeting with developers and members of the Yonkers community on December 29.
Community members, including those in the group “Friends of Trevor Park” were unhappy with the development’s original plan as it would have involved destroying one of the largest green spaces in District 1. However, the proposal of using the waterfront marina park for this purpose met with similar, if not more heated, resistance.
The JFK Marina park, while smaller than Trevor Park, is also valued as a green space in the District 1 community. Yonkers resident Nortrud Spero pointed out that multiple parks and green spaces have disappeared from this area in the recent past and stated in the meeting’s chat that the community “cannot afford” to lose the JFK Marina. Moreover, it is one of the only publicly accessible waterfront access areas in all of Yonkers. The Lela Goren Group noted that Yonkers residents will be able to pay for parking at a lower rate than visitors.
Downtown Yonkers currently suffers from traffic congestion and lack of parking, however it also suffers from a lack of public parks. Additionally, the parking area that currently exists at the JFK Marina is free for both residents and non residents, and the absence of a parking structure creates a clear view of the Hudson River. The Lela Goren Group guaranteed that the proposed parking structure will not obstruct the river view from the Hudson River Museum at the top of the hill, but did not ensure that the river view remain visible for park-goers on the eastern side of the hill.
Goren Group CEO Lela Goren urged community members to note that she listened to their concerns about Trevor park, “We heard you about Trevor. We ourselves were in pain about Trevor. We’re not the kind of folks that want to take away anything, we just want to give,” she said. Given that the last meeting had limited time, concerns about the JFK Marina were not fully addressed.
In an upcoming follow-up meeting on January 21 hosted by Councilmember Shanae Williams, the Lela Goren Group will again meet virtually with Yonkers community members and local officials. The location and design of the parking structure will likely be discussed.
Editor’s Note: This email went out from the Hudson River Community Association, HRCA.
After many meetings with city officials it’s clear that the developer of the Glenwood Power Plant wants to build on our parks. The Hudson River Community Association (HRCA),the River Communities Coalition of Yonkers (RCCY), The Friends of Trevor Park (FoTP), and Yonkers Committee for Smart Development (YCSD) have joined together in opposing the City of Yonkers’ plan to allow a private developer to build their parking facility in the middle of JFK Marina (rendering attached).
The developer should be required to place their parking on their own land – not ours. The City needs to hear from you on this now. Voice your opposition by signing our petition – just use this link:
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/respect-our-communities
You can also state your opposition to building on our parks at Councilmember Williams meeting today January 21st at 4:00 p.m. by using the Zoom info below.
Respectfully,
Hudson River Community Association
