At the July 2008 meeting the Council welcomed two new members representing Westchester County: David Buchwald and Rhonda Herman.  Mr. Buchwald, who grew up in Larchmont, currently lives two blocks from the White Plains train station.  He is an attorney but holds a degree in public policy and has worked on many planning issues.  Ms. Herman, who also lives in from White Plains, said she has been commuting all her life.  She indicated she has been at the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the last 26 years.  Both Mr. Buchwald and Ms. Herman were nominated by the Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano and subsequently appointed by Governor Patterson.   Although the Council is very pleased to have these two new members, representatives from Dutchess, Rockland and Bronx Counties are still needed.  The Council urges interested riders from those areas to seek appointment.  Questions can be directed to the PCAC office: 212-878-7087; or, by email: mail@mnrcc.org  

August 2008
Metro-North Joins the Town/Village of Harrison in a New TOD Initiative

On June 25th, Associate Director Jan Wells and Planner Ellyn Shannon attended an open house exhibit hosted by the Town of Harrison, New York, which is on the New Haven branch, and MTA/Metro-North Railroad.  This venue provided an opportunity for attendees to review and comment on the conceptual plan for the Harrison Station downtown revitalization and transit-oriented development, promoted as It’s Happening in Harrison.  Metro-North will exchange approximately three acres of surface parking for 250 parking spaces in a new parking structure to be built.  Besides a parking deck, the proposed plan includes streetscape improvements and commercial, retail and residential components.